Suicide bombers attack IGP's office in Balochistan; 9 killed
Islamabad/Karachi, Jan 29: Heavily armed suicide bombers attacked the Deputy Inspector General's office in Pakistan's restive southwestern Balochistan province Tuesday, killing nine people, including eight policemen.
The attack in Loralai also injured 21 others, including policemen and civilians. The injured who were shifted to hospital for treatment.
In a statement, the army said that three armed suicide bombers attempted entry into DIG police office compound Loralai when about 800 candidates were present in its premises for enrolment in Balochistan police.
"Police on duty responded and shot one of three suicide bombers at entry of DIG complex who also blew himself. Other two started indiscriminate firing and got into one of the side rooms," the statement said.
Nine persons, including eight policemen, and one civilian candidate were killed in the attack that also left 21 others, including 12 policemen, injured.
"All terrorists have been killed during the operation," the army said.
Inspector General of Police (Balochistan) Mohsin Hassan Butt said the terrorists attacked the office premises when a recruitment test for police clerks was underway.
"They attacked the office with gunfire and explosives. They initially opened fire and then detonated explosives," he told reporters.
The Medical Superintendent of Loralai Civil Hospital, Dr Fahim Kakar, said that they were treating 18 injured from the attack and conditions of two civilians was critical and they had been shifted to the military hospital.
No group has claimed the responsibility for the attack. However, Baloch nationalists carry out such attacks.
Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan condemned the attack and ordered a probe.
The attack comes just a day after it was reported that the government plans to raise a 50,000-strong special security force to ensure unhindered exploration of gas and oil in the remote and no-go areas of Balochistan which has witnessed regular violence from separatists and militants.
In a similar attack on January 1, four security personnel were killed when terrorists tried to storm the Frontier Corps training centre in the province. Four terrorists were also killed in the gunfight.
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West Asia crisis: MEA establishes control room to assist Indians
New Delhi (PTI): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has set up a control room to assist those affected by the escalating crisis in West Asia.
The MEA has said almost one crore Indian citizens live in West Asia and their safety and well-being is of "utmost priority" for New Delhi.
As the Iran-US conflict widened, the Indian embassy in Iran moved hundreds of Indian students from the Iranian capital of Tehran to safer locations.
"A Control Room has been set up in the Ministry of External Affairs in view of the current situation in West Asia and the Gulf region," the MEA said on Wednesday.
"The Control Room can be contacted from 9 am to 9 pm at: 1800118797 (Toll Free) +91 11 2301 2113, +91 11 2301 4104, +91 11 2301 7905," it added.
The US launched military strikes on Iran on February 28, killing Iranian Supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
Following the military offensive, Iran has carried out a wave of attacks mainly targeting Israel and American military bases in several Gulf countries, including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
The MEA on Tuesday noted that almost one crore Indian citizens live and work in the Gulf region, and their "safety and well-being is of utmost priority."
"We cannot be impervious to any development that negatively affects them," it said.
The MEA said New Delhi will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and take relevant decisions in the national interest, adding it is in touch with the governments in the region as well as other key partners.
A Special Control Room has been set up in the Ministry of External Affairs in view of the current situation in West Asia and the Gulf region. Details are as below ⬇️
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) March 4, 2026
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