A suicide blast hits mosque near an Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession in Balochistan, which killed at least 52 people and wounded over two dozen.
The blast took place at Mastung district, where many including DSP Police Nawaz Gashkori, lost their lives and several got injured in the massive “suicide attack” on Eid Milad un Nabi, the day of the birth of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Reports suggest that an Eid Milad un Nabi procession was scheduled to take place in the blast-stricken area, near the revered Medina Masjid.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Munir Ahmed told Reuters that the bomber “detonated himself near the vehicle of the Deputy Superintendent of Police” and added that the explosion occurred close to a mosque where people were assembling for an Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) procession.
دہشت گرد مسجد کے اندر جانا چاہتا تھاڈی ایس پی نے روکا تو حملہ آورنے دھماکا کردیا، آئی جی#SamaaTV #News #Blast #zhob #mustang #Hangu #Mosque #FridayPrayers pic.twitter.com/R7YtO3RvT2
— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) September 29, 2023
The area was blocked off by the police after the explosion. The deceased and injured were taken to hospitals close by. And an emergency situation has been declared in hospitals.
The explosion comes alongside a rise in attacks in the country’s west claimed by militant groups, raising stakes for security forces ahead of the upcoming elections in January 2024.
President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar strongly denounced the explosion.
وزیر داخلہ سرفراز احمد بگٹی کی مستونگ میں مدینہ مسجد کے قریب دھماکے کی شدید مذمت، دھماکے میں قیمتی جانوں کے ضیاع پر گہرے دکھ اور افسوس کا اظہار، عید میلاد النبی کے جلوس میں شرکت کیلئے آئے معصوم لوگوں پر حملہ انتہائی قبیح عمل ہے، دہشت گردوں کا کوئی دین اور مذہب نہیں ہوتا.
— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) September 29, 2023
