At least 50 people have lost their lives and more than 50 others have been injured in a devastating suicide attack in Mastung, Pakistan. The blast occurred near a mosque in the south-western Balochistan province on Friday, where people had gathered to celebrate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.
Authorities in Balochistan have declared a state of emergency following the tragic incident. So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Meanwhile, another blast took place at a mosque near Peshawar City in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Disturbing footage from the scene in Mastung showed injured individuals being rescued by emergency responders and local residents. Balochistan’s police chief, Abdul Khaliq Sheikh, confirmed that the explosion was a suicide blast. He also revealed that a senior police officer lost his life while attempting to stop the attacker.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Sarfraz Bugti, condemned the attack as a “very heinous act” and denounced the “terrorist attacks” in both areas. In the separate attack near Peshawar City, a spokesperson for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police stated that two suicide bombers and a vehicle loaded with explosives were intercepted. One of the bombers was neutralized at the mosque’s gate when he tried to enter, but the number of casualties is yet to be determined as some people may be trapped under the collapsed roof.
The mosque in Hangu is part of a police complex with a capacity of 40 to 50 people, according to local police sources. Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province bordering Afghanistan and Iran, has frequently been targeted by armed groups, including the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Islamic State group.
Earlier this month, a similar explosion in the same district injured eleven people, including a prominent Muslim leader. However, the TTP has denied involvement in Friday’s blast, stating that such attacks are against their policies. The group vehemently condemned the attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, emphasizing that mosques, schools, and public gatherings are not part of their targets.
Just a day before the Mastung blast, Pakistan’s security forces successfully thwarted an attempt by the TTP to infiltrate from Afghanistan, resulting in the killing of three militants. In July, over 40 people were killed in a suicide bombing in the north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province during a gathering of a religious political party.
The recent attacks highlight the ongoing security challenges faced by Pakistan and the need for continued efforts to combat terrorism and ensure the safety of its citizens. The government and security forces remain committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region.