Suicide bomber blows himself up near a mosque in Balochistan, Pakistan, more than 60 dead, hundreds injured

On the occasion of Eid-Milad-un-Nabi, Pakistan was shaken by bomb blasts. A large number of people were killed and hundreds were injured in the bomb blasts. Let us tell you that on Friday, a suicide bomber blew himself up near a mosque in the troubled Balochistan province of Pakistan. Actually, a large number of people had gathered outside the mosque for a rally to celebrate ‘Eid-e-Milad un Nabi’, the birthday of Prophet Mohammad, and during that time the explosion took place. A few hours later, dozens of people were killed and some injured in an explosion in another mosque in Hangu city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is being told that after the explosion, dead bodies were scattered everywhere and the injured had to face a lot of difficulty while taking them to hospitals.

It is being told that the first explosion took place near Madina Mosque on Al Falah Road in Mastung district in Balochistan. It is being told that Mastung Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Nawaz Gashkori, who was on duty during the rally, is also among those killed in this suicide blast. The explosion occurred near the mosque when people had gathered on the occasion of Eid-Milad-un-Nabi. Hangu city police station in-charge Mohammad Javed Lahiri said it was a “suicide blast” and the attacker detonated his bomb next to a police officer’s vehicle. The blast came a day after the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) had killed an important Islamic State (IS) commander in Mastung district. Mohammad Javed Lahiri said that the injured are being admitted to medical centers while emergency has been imposed in hospitals. Mastung District Health Officer Rashid Muhammad Saeed said that 60 people died and more than 50 were injured in the blast. The condition of some of the injured is critical. Officials expressed concern that the death toll could rise.

Balochistan’s interim information minister Jan Achakzai said rescue teams have been sent to Mastung. He said seriously injured people were being shifted to Quetta and emergency had been imposed in all hospitals. He said, “The enemy, under the patronage of foreign powers, wants to destroy peace and religious harmony in Balochistan. This explosion is unbearable.” Caretaker Chief Minister Ali Mardan Domki has directed authorities to arrest those responsible for the blast. He said, “The culprits of the demolition deserve no mercy. Those who have targeted the peaceful procession will be dealt with strictly.” The Chief Minister appealed to the people to remain united against terrorism. He said that Islam is a religion of peace and “those who have committed this heinous crime cannot be called Muslims.” Acting Chief Minister Domki has announced three days of state mourning in the state regarding this incident.

On the other hand, Interim Home Minister Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti has also strongly condemned the incident. “Terrorists have no religion,” Bugti said, adding that all resources were being used during the rescue operation. He said that no stone will be left unturned in the treatment of the injured and terrorists do not deserve any mercy. Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president and former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said such a reprehensible act on Prophet Mohammad’s birthday was disgusting. He condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.

Meanwhile, following the attack in Balochistan, Punjab provincial police said its ‘hard-working officers’ were performing their duty of securing mosques on Friday prayers across the province. Karachi Police said Additional Inspector General Khadim Hussain Rind has directed the police to remain on ‘full alert’ in view of the Mastung incident. He has directed the police to tighten security arrangements in connection with the Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession and Friday prayers and also to keep an eye on any unusual activity. On the other hand, Geo News told that this is the second major explosion in Mastung in the last 15 days. Earlier this month, 11 people were killed in a blast in Mastung itself. If seen, Mustang has been the target of terrorist attacks for the last several years. At least 128 people were killed in a major attack in the district in July 2018.

Let us also tell you that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has ended the ceasefire with the federal government of the country and has ordered its terrorists to carry out attacks across the country. The group, considered close to al-Qaeda, has been held responsible for several deadly attacks in Pakistan.