Suicide Blast in Balochistan Eid Miladun Nabi Procession: Over 50 Lives Lost
More than 50 individuals lost their lives, and several sustained injuries in a suicide blast during an Eid Miladun Nabi procession on Al Falah Road in Mastung city, Balochistan.
Assistant Commissioner of Mastung, Atta ul Muneem, confirmed that the explosion was indeed a suicide attack. He stated that the suicide bomber detonated himself near the vehicle of DSP Mohammad Nawaz Ghishkori.
Balochistan’s Interior Minister, Mohammad Zubair Jamali, also acknowledged that the authorities were treating the incident as a suicide bombing.
Initially, it was reported that around 20 people had tragically perished, but the death toll continued to rise. Mastung District Health Officer, Dr. Abdur Rashid, reported that at least 52 individuals had lost their lives, and 55 others sustained injuries.
The procession was set to commence after participants had gathered near the Medina Masjid when the devastating explosion occurred, as per Muneem.
Hours later, the police discovered another explosive device at the scene, which was successfully defused.
SHO Mastung, Javed Lehri, confirmed that DSP Ghishkori was among those who had tragically lost their lives.
The powerful blast ripped through the procession, resulting in numerous participants losing their limbs. Grisly images from the scene depicted at least ten bodies lying in close proximity.
Authorities swiftly cordoned off the area and transported the injured to nearby hospitals, declaring a state of emergency in these medical facilities.
Due to cellular phone service disruptions, many struggled to contact their loved ones.
Caretaker Federal Interior Minister, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, condemned the Mastung blast and expressed sorrow over the loss of innocent lives. He denounced the perpetrators as cowards for targeting innocent people and commended the bravery of the Balochistan residents, vowing to provide the best medical care to the injured.
All LEAs, PDMA force and ambulances are on the scene. Injured victims have reached 40.
Martyrs numbers are rising unfortunately.
Emergency imposed in Quetta Hospitals.
Appeals out for blood donations. Plz pray for the martyrs and injured #Mastungblast
— Jan Achakzai / جان اچکزئی (@Jan_Achakzai) September 29, 2023
Caretaker Home Minister of Balochistan, Muhammad Zubair Jamali, stated that investigations were underway to determine the cause of the explosion, with initial reports and evidence suggesting it was a suicide bombing. He pledged to safeguard the province’s peace and called for a report on the incident within 48 hours.
Caretaker Information Minister of Balochistan, Jan Achakzai, reported that the number of casualties was rising. The provincial government had deployed law enforcement and rescue teams to the blast site, and emergency measures were implemented in Quetta Hospitals, with appeals for blood donations.