Pakistani Army Major Killed in Targeted Bomb Attack in Quetta

The chilling incident, captured on CCTV footage, revealed two assailants on a motorcycle swiftly attaching the bomb to Major Kakar’s car on Jinnah Road, one of Quetta’s busiest thoroughfares. The explosion, which occurred moments later, claimed the officer’s life instantly, leaving no other casualties but sending shockwaves through a region already plagued by separatist violence.

The footage of the attack, widely circulated on social media and news outlets, paints a grim picture of the precision and audacity of the assailants. The video shows a motorcycle weaving through traffic, with one rider dismounting briefly to affix the magnetic bomb to the side of Major Kakar’s vehicle. Within seconds, the device detonated, engulfing the car in a fiery blast. The speed and coordination of the attack suggest a high level of planning, pointing to the involvement of a trained and determined group. Emergency services, including police and rescue teams, responded promptly, cordoning off the area to secure the site and facilitate the investigation. Major Kakar’s body was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Major Anwar Kakar, a native of Pishin district in Balochistan, was the son of Haji Akbar Kakar, a respected local figure. He was no stranger to the dangers of serving in a volatile region. In 2019, he survived a high-profile attack by the Baloch Liberation Army on the Pearl Continental Hotel in Gwadar, a port city central to Pakistan’s China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects. That earlier incident targeted security personnel and civilians, underscoring the persistent threat posed by separatist groups in Balochistan. Tragically, Major Kakar’s luck ran out on Jinnah Road, where he became the latest victim of the province’s enduring insurgency.

Hours after the attack, the Baloch Liberation Army, a separatist militant organization, claimed responsibility for the killing. In a statement released to media outlets, the group’s spokesperson declared that the attack was executed by their elite Special Tactical Operations Squad, with intelligence support from their Zirab unit. The group described Major Kakar as a key target due to his role in Military Intelligence, accusing him and the Pakistani military of suppressing Baloch rights and exploiting the province’s vast natural resources. The Baloch Liberation Army, designated as a terrorist organization by Pakistan, the United States, and other countries, has a history of targeting security forces and state infrastructure in Balochistan, often citing grievances over economic marginalization and political disenfranchisement.

The group’s statement framed the attack as part of their broader struggle for an independent Balochistan, a region they claim has been systematically exploited by the Pakistani state. Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area but its least developed, is rich in natural gas, minerals, and strategic significance due to its proximity to Iran, Afghanistan, and the Arabian Sea. The province is a cornerstone of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project linking China’s Xinjiang region to Gwadar Port. However, local communities often argue that the economic benefits of such projects bypass them, fueling resentment and support for separatist groups like the Baloch Liberation Army.

The killing of Major Kakar is the latest chapter in Balochistan’s decades-long insurgency, which has claimed thousands of lives, including those of civilians, security personnel, and militants. The Baloch Liberation Army and other groups, such as the Baloch Republican Army and the Baloch Liberation Front, have waged a campaign of violence against the Pakistani state, targeting military outposts, government officials, and infrastructure projects. In recent years, the frequency and sophistication of these attacks have increased, with militants employing tactics such as suicide bombings, ambushes, and, as seen in this case, targeted IED attacks.

The Pakistani military has responded with large-scale operations to curb the insurgency, often leading to accusations of heavy-handed tactics and human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. These allegations have further alienated segments of the Baloch population, creating a vicious cycle of violence and mistrust. The Baloch Liberation Army’s ability to strike in urban centers like Quetta, despite heightened security measures, underscores the challenges faced by the Pakistani state in addressing the root causes of the conflict, which include economic disparity, lack of political representation, and ethnic grievances.

The attack on Major Kakar comes at a time of heightened regional tensions. Balochistan’s strategic location makes it a flashpoint for both domestic and international interests. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, has drawn significant investment to the province but has also made it a target for separatists who view foreign involvement as an extension of state exploitation. The Baloch Liberation Army has repeatedly attacked Chinese nationals and CPEC-related projects, including a 2022 suicide bombing near a Confucius Institute in Karachi that killed three Chinese teachers.

Balochistan’s borders with Iran and Afghanistan add layers of complexity to the security situation. Cross-border militancy, smuggling, and sectarian violence involving Sunni and Shia groups have further destabilized the region. The Pakistani government has accused foreign powers, including India, of supporting Baloch separatists to undermine its sovereignty, though such claims remain contentious and lack definitive evidence in the public domain.

Following the attack, Pakistani authorities vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. Security forces launched a manhunt for the assailants, with preliminary investigations focusing on the Baloch Liberation Army’s network in Quetta. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack, paying tribute to Major Kakar’s service and reiterating the government’s resolve to combat terrorism. However, the incident has reignited debates over Pakistan’s counterinsurgency strategy and the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses both security and socio-economic challenges.

For the people of Quetta, the attack is a stark reminder of the fragility of peace in Balochistan. Jinnah Road, a commercial hub, has witnessed similar acts of violence in the past, including bombings targeting markets, mosques, and security checkpoints. The loss of Major Kakar, a seasoned officer, is not only a blow to the military but also a symbol of the ongoing sacrifices made by those serving in one of Pakistan’s most dangerous regions.

The killing of Major Anwar Kakar underscores the persistent threat posed by separatist militancy in Balochistan. While the Pakistani state has made strides in improving security, the Baloch Liberation Army’s ability to execute déficits suggest that the insurgency remains far from resolved. Addressing the crisis will require more than military operations; it demands dialogue, development, and efforts to bridge the trust deficit between the state and the Baloch people. Until then, incidents like the one on Jinnah Road will continue to cast a long shadow over Balochistan’s future.

In the wake of this tragedy, Major Kakar’s family, colleagues, and community mourn the loss of a dedicated officer. His death is a poignant reminder of the human cost of a conflict that has persisted for decades, with no easy solutions in sight. As investigations continue and security forces intensify their efforts, the question remains: can Pakistan find a path to lasting peace in Balochistan, or will the cycle of violence endure?