6th February 2016 - Pakistan: Quetta

Special Advisory - Pakistan: Quetta: Suicide attack underlines need to avoid non-essential travel to Balochistan (Revised 14.50 GMT)

At least eight people were killed and 35 others injured in a suicide bombing on 6 February on Jinnah Road near Liaqat Park in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province. The attack appears to have targeted a security force vehicle near the Quetta district court complex.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP, the Pakistani Taliban) reportedly claimed responsibility for the bombing in an email to local media. The incident underlines the persistent risk posed by militancy in Balochistan and our advice to avoid non-essential travel to the province.

Travel Briefing

Islamist extremist and ethnic-Baloch militant groups are active in the province, with the former especially active in the north-east and latter in the south. Islamist militants primarily target infrastructure and personnel associated with the government and security forces, as well as religious buildings associated with minority sects, marketplaces and public transport.

The frequency and scale of militant attacks in the province means that essential visits should only be undertaken after seeking expert advice and professional security support. At least 35 people were killed in a previous bombing in Quetta on 13 January. Members on essential travel should implement robust mitigation measures, including engagement with the authorities and rehearsed contingency planning.

Travel Advice Summary

  • Travel to Balochistan, including Quetta, should be for essential purposes only.
  • Essential travel should only be conducted after a detailed threat assessment has confirmed viability. Robust mitigation measures are also required. This includes dedicated professional security support, engagement with the authorities to confirm the requirement for permits and/or armed escorts, rehearsed contingency planning and flexible itineraries.
  • Time spent outside secure premises and around likely targets for insurgent attack, both static and in transit, should be minimised. These include: security force personnel, vehicles and checkpoints, mosques and Shia Muslim religious gatherings, and densely populated unsecured areas, such as markets.
  • Comply with all directives issued by the security forces and carry relevant identification documents and permits to ease passage at checkpoints.