Dalbandin – Area Guide

Dalbandin (Urdu and Balochi: دالبندین) is a city and the headquarters of Chagai District in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. It is strategically located near the borders of Iran and Afghanistan. The city has a population of 16,319, while the entire Dalbandin Tehsil hosts around 110,503 people.
Dalbandin is known for its fruit orchards and is surrounded by a vast desert and rugged mountains. The city also has an Afghan refugee camp, Girdi Jungle, situated on Dalbandin Chagai Road.
Etymology of Dalbandin
Originally, the area was known as Naalbandin due to its residents being skilled farriers (Naalbandin). However, during the British rule, the name was modified to Dalbandin due to pronunciation difficulties.

Climate and Weather
Dalbandin has a hot desert climate (Köppen classification BWh), characterized by extremely hot summers and cool winters. The region remains dry throughout the year, with occasional rainfall in winter. Sandstorms are a frequent occurrence.
Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) | Precipitation (mm) |
January | 19.0 | 1.8 | 19.7 |
February | 22.1 | 5.1 | 14.3 |
March | 27.5 | 10.2 | 20.3 |
April | 34.2 | 16.1 | 4.8 |
May | 39.6 | 21.4 | 2.0 |
June | 42.8 | 24.5 | 3.8 |
July | 43.6 | 26.2 | 4.0 |
August | 42.1 | 23.5 | 0.7 |
September | 39.0 | 18.6 | 0.0 |
October | 33.6 | 12.4 | 1.8 |
November | 26.7 | 6.6 | 3.9 |
December | 21.1 | 2.2 | 9.2 |
Dalbandin Postal Code
The postal code of Dalbandin is 95100, and it falls under the Quetta post office jurisdiction in Balochistan. This postal code ensures accurate mail sorting and delivery within the city.
Education
As the district headquarters of Chagai, Dalbandin serves as an educational hub with several government and private institutions. The city has a government boys’ degree college and a girls’ degree college, along with various newly established educational institutions.
Transport
Dalbandin is well-connected to major cities in Pakistan via road, rail, and air transport.
- Dalbandin Airport (IATA: DBA, ICAO: OPDB) is a small domestic airport in southwest Dalbandin.
- Dalbandin Railway Station is centrally located, connecting the city to major railway networks.
- Buses and road transport are the primary means of travel, with routes connecting Dalbandin to Quetta (339 km away) and Karachi.
Sports
Football is the most popular sport in Dalbandin. The city has a football stadium located in the city center, where local tournaments and matches are frequently held.
Notable Events in Dalbandin
2011 Dalbandin Earthquake
On 19 January 2011, a 7.2 Mw earthquake struck Dalbandin, causing moderate damage and resulting in three fatalities. Over 200 mud houses and several government buildings were damaged.
2016 US Drone Strike
On 21 May 2016, a US drone strike targeted and killed Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour near Dalbandin.
Dalbandin Rifles
The Dalbandin Rifles is a paramilitary regiment of the Pakistani Frontier Corps Balochistan (South), responsible for border security and law enforcement. The regiment had a budget of Rs. 1.137 billion (2020/21) and was involved in a bribery controversy in August 2019.
Dalbandin to Quetta Distance
The distance between Dalbandin and Quetta is 339 km, with an approximate travel time of 5 hours 11 minutes via Quetta – Taftan Highway.
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