Balochistan
Pakistan’s army recently tested its Shaheen-3 missile, which is capable of carrying nuclear weapons. But this test failed badly. The missile targeted and the explosion occurred near an atomic center in Dera Ghazi Khan (Punjab province).
Its debris fell in the Dera Bugati district of Balochistan, which was very close to civil settlements. This incident not only questioned Pakistan’s military capacity, but also threatened the safety of the people of Balochistan. After this accident on 22 July 2025, the Pakistani army closed the internet in the area, stopped the media and asked people to stay in their homes.
What is Shaheen-3 missile?
Shaheen-3 is one of the most powerful missiles in Pakistan. It is a surface-to-surface (surface-to-surface) ballistic missile, which can kill up to 2750 km. That is, it can reach many cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Its features are…
Ability to carry nuclear weapons: It can carry nuclear weapons ranging from 20-25 to 300-500 kilotons.
Solid fuel: It runs on solid fuel, which helps in launching it quickly.
Help of China: Pakistan started making it with the technical help of China in the 2000s.
Pakistan considers it a part of its defense strategy, especially to respond to India’s military strength. But due to repeated test failure, its credibility is being questioned.
What happened on 22 July 2025?
On 22 July 2025, Pakistan tested Shaheen-3 missile from Rakhi area of Dera Ghazi Khan. But the missile deviated from its target. Dera fell into Matt area in Bugti district of Balochistan. This place was just 500 meters away from civil settlements. Debris fell in grapan ravine near Loop Sehrani Levi station, causing a big explosion.
Bang voice: The explosion was so strong that it was heard 20-50 km away, including the areas of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Uproar on social media: In some videos, people were seen running fearfully. Some claimed that the missile fell at Ghazi Khan’s atomic center, while some said that it was an enemy drone attack.
Pakistani army response: The army immediately closed the internet in the area, stopped the media and asked people to stay in their homes.
DG Khan Commissioner spokesman Majhar Sheerani said that it was probably the sonic boom of a fighter jet (sound of sound wall), but a firm investigation is awaited.
The organization named Republic of Balochistan strongly condemned this test. He said that the missile test threatened the lives of the people of Balochistan. If the debris fell a little more here and there, hundreds of people could have been killed.
Why is Dera Ghazi Khan special?
Dera Ghazi Khan is the largest nuclear center in Pakistan. There is storage and processing of uranium here. In 1970, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) built a pilot plant here, which processes 10,000 pounds daily.
This place is the heart of Pakistan’s nuclear weapon program. If the missile really fell at this center, it could have been a big accident. But the officials claimed that there was no loss.
There have been such accidents before
This is not the first time Pakistan’s missile test failed. This has happened many times before…
Dera Ghazi Khan in 2023: In October 2023, Shaheen-3 test failed. That time too, the blast took place with Dera Ghazi Khan, whose voice was heard 30-50 km away. Some claimed that the missile fell at the nuclear center, but the government called it a sonic boom.
Dera Bugati in 2021: In January 2021, the test of Shaheen-3 failed and the missile fell into the civilian area of Dera Bugati. Many houses were destroyed and people were injured. The Baloch Republican Party described it as evidence of making Balochistan a laboratory of the Pakistani Army.
Babur-II missile in 2020: Babur-II missile, which could be launched from land and sea, crashed during Tests in Balochistan.
Jamshoro in 2022: An unknown missile fell in the city of Jamashoro, Sindh. Some claimed that it was an attempt to respond to India’s BrahMos missile accident.
These accidents show that Pakistan’s missile technology still has flaws.
Balochistan’s anger
Republic of Balochistan and locals are very angry with this Test. They say…
Balochistan is being made a laboratory: The Pakistani army repeatedly performs missiles and nuclear tests in Balochistan, due to which the people there remain in danger. Due to the nuclear test in Chagai in 1998, diseases like cancer and skin diseases are still spread there.
Forced displacement: The army removes Baloch people from their homes before the test. This has become common in areas like Dera Bugati and Kahan. Its purpose is to exploit the natural resources (such as gas and minerals) there.
lack of security: Citizens are not already told during the missile test, which puts their lives at risk.
Baloch Republican Party spokesman Sher Mohammad Bugti said that Pakistan has made Balochistan its weapon laboratory. He demanded the United Nations and human rights organizations to investigate it.
Pakistan’s nuclear program
Pakistan is one of the nine countries in the world which have nuclear weapons. By 2025 it is estimated to have 170 nuclear weapons, which can reach 200 by 2026. Pakistan’s policy is that of minimum credible resistance, that is, it can use nuclear weapons against neighbors like India.
Shaheen series: These missiles range from 1250 to 2750 km. Shaheen-3 was specially designed to respond to India’s Agni-III missile.
Chinese cooperation: Pakistan’s nuclear and missile program runs with the help of China.
Importance of Dera Ghazi Khan: This city is the center of uranium processing and nuclear storage. 360 grams of weapon-grade plutonium is extracted every year from the plant built in 1970.
What is the world saying?
India’s eyes: India did not give any official statement on this accident, but India-Pak tension has increased after Operation Sindoor (May 2025). Then India attacked the Pakistani airbase in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The incident of Dera Ghazi Khan has also started discussion in India. Some people consider it a weakness of Pakistan.
America’s concern: In 2023, an American nuclear sniffer aircraft was seen there after Dera Ghazi Khan blast. This caused speculation that maybe an nuclear accident had happened. This time also America is silent, but it keeps an eye on Pakistan’s nuclear weapons.
Demand from United Nations: Baloch organizations have demanded the UN and UN Security Council to ban Pakistan’s missiles and nuclear programs.
Cleaning of Pakistan
Pakistani officials said that no terrorist attack took place. The DG Khan Commissioner claimed that the blast was probably due to the sonic boom of a fighter jet. He said that there was no loss or casualties. But many questions remain…
If this was a sonic boom, how did the debris of the missile reach Dera Bugti?
Why did the army stop internet and media?
Was there no threat to the nuclear center?
Pakistan’s internal ministry has not yet made any official statement.
What is the meaning of India?
Pakistan’s frequent missile test failure may be good news for India. Shaheen-3 is designed to target India. Its failure raises questions on Pakistan’s military credibility. But…
Atomic danger: The accident at the atomic center like Dera Ghazi Khan can pose a big threat, which is also a matter of concern for India.
Balochistan’s anger: Baloch people are rebelling against Pakistan. If this anger increases, the instability in the region may increase, which will affect the Indo-Pak border.
Operation Sindoor: In May 2025, India attacked the Pakistani airbase. Questions are being raised on Pakistan’s counter strength from this accident.