At least 53 people, including a police officer, were killed while dozens were injured in what officials believe was a suicide blast near a 12th Rabiul Awwal procession in Balochistan’s Mastung district on Friday.
Advertisement
Mastung District Headquarter Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Nisar Ahmed told Dawn.com that 16 bodies were brought to the facility while Shaheed Naqab Ghous Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital CEO Dr Saeed Mirwani confirmed they received 32 bodies.
Five bodies were brought to the Civil Hospital Quetta, the facility’s spokesperson, Dr Wasim Baig, said.
Speaking to Dawn.com, Dr Mirwani said over 100 wounded persons were brought to the hospital of which those in critical condition were referred to Quetta.
Meanwhile, Dr Nisar said 20 people were receiving treatment at the Mastung DHQ.
Unverified images and videos emerging afterward depicted bloodied corpses and severed limbs strewn about as bystanders assessed the extent of the damage.
Mastung Assistant Commissioner (AC) Atta-ul-Munim told Dawn.com that the explosion took place when people were gathering for an Eid-i-Miladun Nabi procession near Madina Masjid at Alfalah Road.
“The bomber detonated himself near the vehicle of the deputy superintendent of police (DSP),” Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Munir Ahmed told Reuters, adding that the blast took place near the mosque where people were gathering for a procession to mark Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday, which is a public holiday.
The Mastung AC had identified the martyred DSP as Nawaz Gishkori. SHO Lehri also confirmed that the explosion was a “suicide blast”.
Victims are treated at a Mastung hospital, following a deadly suicide attack on a religious gathering in Balochistan on September 29. — Shaheed Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital Mastung/Handout via Reuters
“A procession of hundreds of people came out of the Madina mosque and as it reached Al Falah road a suicide bomber targeted it,” said Mastung Deputy Commissioner Abdul Razzaq Sasoli.
No one has so far claimed responsibility; however, the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan has denied its involvement.
Balochistan interim Information Minister Jan Achakzai said rescue teams had been dispatched to Mastung.
“The enemy wants to destroy religious tolerance and peace in Balochistan with foreign blessings,” Achakzai said. “The explosion is unbearable,” he said, appealing urgently for blood donors to help treat the wounded.
Later in a press conference, the minister said the death toll in the blast “is immensely unfortunate”. He revealed that a number of families had buried their loved ones without bringing them to the hospital, adding that the government had not included these people in the official death toll.
“As far as the injuries are concerned, a number of people are in critical condition and they are being moved to intensive care units and trauma centres,” Achakzai stated, adding that if their condition further deteriorated, the wounded may be air lifted to Karachi from Quetta.
Actions being taken to prevent terror incidents: Balochistan police chief
In a media talk, Balochistan Inspector General (IG) Abdul Khalique Sheikh said authorities had initiated action to prevent such incidents of terror in the future.
“Some groups were active in Mastung earlier and operations are under way to counter them,” he stated, adding that the outlawed Daesh had previously claimed responsibility for such attacks in the past.
Talking about today’s attack, he a police official sacrificed his life while attempting to stop a suicide bomber while three other personnel, including a DSP, sustained injuries in the blast.
“The aim of terrorism is to create chaos and instability in Balochistan,” he said. “Police have been ordered to take strong action against the elements involved in the bombing and those providing them shelter.”
Hand grenade defused
Between 2pm and 3pm later in the day, SHO Lehri said another loud bang was heard near the blast site for a second time.
He said it was a controlled hand grenade blast near a bus stop by Counter Terrorism Department officials who were defusing it. The official went on to say that the area was cordoned off to avoid any mishap.
‘Perpetrators don’t deserve any leniency’
Victims are treated at a Mastung hospital, following a deadly suicide attack on a religious gathering in Balochistan on September 29. — Shaheed Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital Mastung/Handout via Reuters
Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar strongly denounced the explosion in Mastung, stating that the government was determined to root out terrorism from the country, Radio Pakistan reported.
In their separate statements, the premier and President Dr Arif Alvi expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of people and directed the authorities concerned to provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured.
Separately, in a tweet the PM said Pakistan’s war against terrorism would not end until the last of the terrorist was eliminated.
Interim Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti strongly condemned the blast as well and expressed his grief at the loss of lives.
Stating that “terrorists have no faith or religion”, Bugti asserted that all resources were being put to use during the rescue operation. He added that no effort would be spared in treating the injured and that terrorist elements did not deserve any concession.
September 29,2023
Source: Dawn