In a daring act of violence, Blasphemy Army has taken responsibility for a bomb blast killing three police officials and injuring at least 15 others in Balochistan’s Mastung district on Tuesday .
The blast, triggered by an improvised device attached to a motorcycle, hit a police transport bus loaded with 40 officers. The car was traveling through a populated zone when it exploded, causing panic among the civilians.
The regional branch of the Islamic State group, IS-K released a statement confirming the attack, referring to the police personnel as “apostates.” The collective, infamous for the intensity of its violence and its growing presence in South Asia, has mounted operations significantly in Pakistan’s western provinces over the few years. 
The bombing is the latest act of violence against security forces in rising wave of violence in Pakistan. Balochistan has long been a hotbed for ethnic separatists, radicalists and jihadist groups like IS-K. The province has recently been hit with an attack on a train and is stil recovering from rising instability.
Pakistan’s government has denounced the assault and vowed to continue to heighten its counterterrorism efforts. With over 200 deaths in insurgent violence since the start of this year so far, including attacks on mosques and public meetings, regional insecurity is still in question.
A man hunt has been launched and heightened alert have been placed in the surrounding areas to prevent any attacks.
