QUETTA, Pakistan — An explosion occurred on Monday when an improvised device, which was being transported on a motorcycle by two alleged militants, detonated prematurely near a police station in the volatile southwestern region of Pakistan. Reports from police confirm that the blast claimed the lives of the two suspects involved.

The incident took place in Killa Abdullah, a town located about 75 kilometers (or 45 miles) to the north of Quetta, the capital city of the Balochistan province. Ghulam Rasool, a police official, indicated that the motorcycle was close to the Mezai police station at the time of the explosion. Investigations are currently underway to uncover whether either of the suspects had intended to carry out a suicide attack on the police facility. So far, Rasool has not disclosed additional information regarding the incident.

For many years, Balochistan has experienced ongoing unrest, primarily driven by various separatist factions seeking independence from the central government and a more equitable distribution of the region’s rich natural resources, such as oil and gas. The area is also troubled by militant activity linked to groups like the Pakistani Taliban and the Islamic State, both of which have established a presence in the province.

In a related context, just last month, a tragic event unfolded when a suicide bomber, allegedly affiliated with the banned Balochistan Liberation Army, targeted a train station in Quetta. This horrific attack resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, including soldiers and rail personnel, marking it as one of the deadliest incidents in recent times.