Quetta

A methane gas explosion at a coal mine near Quetta, Balochistan, resulted in 34 miner fatalities. All bodies were recovered after a search operation, with a probe ordered into the incident. Most miners hailed from Shangla district, and many were orphans with fathers who died in prior mining accidents.

A methane explosion at a coal mine in southwestern Pakistan killed 34 miners, with rescuers recovering 32 bodies and two still missing. Authorities announced compensation for victims' families and pledged to investigate the incident and review mine safety measures.

Shangla district mourns 28 miners killed in a gas explosion at a Balochistan coal mine near Quetta. The Shangla Coal Mine Workers Association accused the mine administration of negligence, citing lack of safety measures like proper ventilation. Families criticized the government for failing to provide ambulance services to transport the victims' bodies.

A methane gas explosion at a coal mine near Quetta killed at least 32 miners, with two still missing. The blast triggered a fire and structural collapse, complicating rescue efforts. Provincial authorities announced compensation for victims' families and an inquiry into the incident.

A methane explosion at a coal mine in southwestern Pakistan killed 34 miners, with 32 bodies recovered and two still missing. Authorities announced compensation for victims' families and pledged to investigate the incident and review safety measures. Deadly mining accidents are common in Balochistan due to inadequate safety infrastructure.

At least 15 coal miners were killed in a methane gas explosion at a private mine in Sorange coalfield near Quetta, with over 24 others trapped underground. Rescue efforts face challenges due to fire, toxic gases, and collapsed tunnels, as officials confirm the incident was caused by methane accumulation.

A coal mine blast in southwest Pakistan killed at least 32 miners and trapped 10 others, likely caused by a methane gas buildup. Rescue operations continue, but officials warn the death toll may rise. The government will pay compensation to victims' families and investigate the incident, while labor groups accuse mine owners of safety negligence.

An explosion at a coal mine in southwest Pakistan killed at least 11 miners and trapped 31 others, likely caused by a methane gas buildup. Rescue operations are ongoing under difficult conditions, with officials warning of a potential rise in fatalities due to low oxygen levels. The government has pledged compensation for victims' families and an investigation into safety measures.

An explosion at a coal mine in southwest Pakistan killed at least six miners and trapped 42 others, likely caused by a methane gas buildup. Rescue operations are underway in Baluchistan province, where poor safety measures in mines are common, leading to frequent accidents.

An explosion at a private coal mine in Quetta's Sorange area trapped 22 workers, with three rescued. Rescue teams are en route to the site, but difficult terrain has delayed their arrival. The incident occurred at Sardar Usman Coal Company.

Mahmood Khan Achakzai has convened a three-day jirga in Quetta to address the worsening security situation in Balochistan, including attacks on highways, trade disruptions, and killings. The jirga will involve political leaders, tribal elders, and stakeholders to draft recommendations for improving security.

Balochistan has experienced multiple terror attacks since July 5, orchestrated by banned groups TTP and BLA, resulting in over 40 casualties among security forces and civilians. A judicial commission is being formed to investigate specific incidents, including the Urak violence and Mangi Dam attack, while military and police operations continue to neutralize terrorists.

Pakistan has seen a significant decline in poliovirus detection in environmental samples, with positivity rates dropping from 48.1pc to 13.1pc between 2025 and 2026. The National Emergency Operations Centre reported 10 positive samples in June 2026, down from 369 to 100 positive cases year-to-date. Cross-border transmission from Afghanistan remains a concern, with poliovirus strains linked to Kandahar and Nangarhar detected in Quetta and Peshawar.

District and Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and his guard were killed when their vehicles were targeted by unknown armed men at Wali Khan crossing near Mastung. Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Lashari was injured in the attack, and the injured were transported to a hospital in Mastung.

Three people were killed and five injured in a gun attack on a Karachi-bound passenger bus in Balochistan's Mastung district, while a bridge on the National Highway was damaged in an explosion, disrupting traffic between Quetta and Karachi. The Balochistan Home Department imposed an indefinite curfew in Khud Kocha sub-tehsil to address the deteriorating security situation, as security forces reported killing 10 terrorists and arresting two female suicide bombers in recent operations.

Policemen killed in Ziarat and Hanna Urak terrorist attacks were buried in their native towns after their funeral prayers at Quetta's Ayub Stadium. A 10-day sit-in by their families ended following an agreement with the provincial government, which accepted demands including a judicial probe and renaming locations in honor of the martyrs.

Families of 27 policemen killed in a July 6 terrorist attack in Balochistan’s Ziarat district ended a 10-day sit-in in Quetta after reaching an agreement with the provincial government. The government accepted their demands, including establishing a judicial commission to investigate the Ziarat and Hanna Urak attacks, and agreed to rename public institutions after the martyrs.

The Balochistan government and a multi-party alliance reached an agreement with families of police officers killed in Ziarat and Hanna Urak attacks to form a judicial commission. A province-wide strike ended after the sit-in at Quetta’s Koyila Phatak concluded following successful talks.

South Air launched inaugural flights from Karachi to Quetta via Turbat and Islamabad via Bahawalpur, enhancing Pakistan's domestic air connectivity. The airline plans to expand services to Peshawar, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Gwadar, aiming to boost tourism, trade, and regional travel convenience.

Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a Baloch Yakjehti Committee organizer, challenges her life sentence for a security personnel killing in the Balochistan High Court, which has admitted her plea. The Supreme Court also issued notices in a related bail case under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Balochistan experienced recent violent incidents in Quetta, Ziarat, and Lasbela, highlighting a persistent crisis exacerbated by government inaction and harsh measures. The article criticizes the lack of political will to address root causes like alienation and absence of genuine political processes, while noting the Taliban's increasing presence in the region.

Akhtar Mengal of the Balochistan National Party (BNP-M) demanded a transparent investigation into the killing of policemen in Ziarat, criticizing the government for failing to address violence in the region. The sit-in by families of the martyred officials entered its third day, with a government delegation holding negotiations.

The Balochistan government has restructured administrative units, splitting Quetta district into East Quetta and West Quetta. The province now has 11 divisions and 41 districts, with changes including the detachment of Mastung from Kalat division and the creation of new sub-divisions like Brewery and Panjpai. Tribal leaders and Nawabzada Haji Lashkari Raisani opposed the move, citing violations of the 1948 accession agreement.

A sit-in in Quetta ended after 11 abducted tribesmen were released following negotiations between Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and protest leaders. The protest, triggered by an attack in Hanna Urak Valley that killed five tribesmen and injured eight, blocked traffic for five days. Meanwhile, families of 30 martyred policemen continue a separate sit-in demanding security guarantees and justice.

Security forces in Quetta, including the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, and police, have killed 75 terrorists since July 5, with 39 eliminated during 'Operation Shaban.' A planned attack on a police station in Khuzdar was thwarted, and a parliamentary panel will assess the security situation in Balochistan. Police denied claims of resignations following an attack that killed 27 officers at Mangi dam.

Pakistani security forces killed 75 insurgents in Balochistan province after attacks on police and civilians by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). The operations followed a police post attack near Mangi Dam, which killed nine officers and abducted 18 others, later found dead. The government approved compensation for families of slain officers.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed to continue operations against militants in Balochistan after 42 people, mostly security personnel, were killed in multiple attacks. Authorities have killed at least 54 insurgents since the attacks began, with the deadliest assault targeting a police post in Ziarat district. Sharif accused Pakistan’s eastern neighbor of fueling the insurgency and stated militants are using Afghan territory for attacks.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Quetta for a day-long visit to chair a meeting on the law and order situation. He was welcomed by Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, and senior officials. Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and PM Adviser Rana Sanaullah accompanied him.

A surge in terrorist violence in Pakistan's Balochistan province, including attacks in Ziarat and Quetta, and the arrest of BLA operatives in Karachi, highlights renewed threats. Security forces killed 15 terrorists, but concerns grow over potential collaboration between TTP and separatist groups, with urban centers like Karachi at risk. The article emphasizes the need for improved intelligence, inter-agency coordination, and regional pressure on Afghanistan to address sanctuaries for militants.

Militants attacked a police post in Balochistan, Pakistan, killing nine officers and wounding others. Eight officers were abducted but later recovered, and 15 militants were killed in the subsequent operation. A separate incident involved children detonating an unexploded bomb near Quetta.

Eight tribesmen and a young girl were killed in separate incidents in Balochistan, including an armed attack in Qila Abdullah and a clan clash in Dera Bugti. The Qila Abdullah attack, fueled by old enmity, resulted in four tribal deaths and a girl's later demise, while a Dera Bugti clash over a marriage proposal killed four. Police responded to both incidents with operations and negotiations to restore order.

At least 32 people died when an overcrowded bus crashed into a ravine in Pakistan's Dana Sar mountain range. The bus was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar at the time of the accident.

A Senate committee addressed high airfares on the Quetta route, frequent flight cancellations to remote areas, and poor facilities at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport. It demanded mandatory flights to underserved regions, an investigation into cancellations, and a report on airport upgrades, while also discussing climate change impacts and aviation licensing issues.

Balochistan Police Football Team's players, including star Hamza, have been reassigned to security duties, preventing their participation in the All Pakistan CM Gold Cup. Athletes joined the police via sports trials but are now deployed at checkpoints and streets, disrupting their focus on training and competitions.

Two leaders of a Baloch human rights group in Pakistan were sentenced to life in prison for the death of a paramilitary soldier during a 2024 protest. The prosecution alleged they incited a mob that attacked a security vehicle and killed the soldier, while the activists denied the charges.

Balochistan's FY27 budget of Rs1.13 trillion prioritizes security and maintenance over development, sparking protests from government employees demanding higher salaries. Public dissatisfaction is widespread, with citizens criticizing the lack of allocations for socio-economic improvements. The province remains underdeveloped despite its resources, relying heavily on federal transfers.

An additional district and sessions court in Quetta sentenced Hira Anwar’s father, Anwar-ul-Haq Rajput, and maternal uncle, Muhammad Tayyab Bhatti, to life imprisonment for her murder. The court also fined each Rs200,000 after investigations revealed their involvement in shooting Hira on Jan 27, 2025, due to the father’s objection to her social media activity and lifestyle.

The Balochistan government withheld budget documents from journalists and public for the first time as lawmakers debated the 2026-27 budget. Opposition leaders criticized the Rs206bn development package as inadequate, while ministers defended the tax-free plan. The budget faced accusations of ignoring the province’s needs and failing to address persistent instability.

A detailed security plan was finalized in Balochistan for Muharram-ul-Haram processions and Majalis, involving coordination between authorities, religious scholars, and community representatives to ensure a peaceful atmosphere. The plan includes CCTV monitoring, aerial surveillance, sniper deployment, and female police personnel for women's gatherings, with religious leaders pledging to promote interfaith harmony and counter misinformation.

A woman doctor, Mahnoor Nasir, was attacked with acid at her hospital in Quetta, Pakistan, sustaining burns to 7% of her body. The suspected perpetrator, Humayun Shah, a lift operator at the facility, was killed by officers at a bus station. The attack triggered strikes and protests demanding safety and justice for female medical professionals.