Explosion during religious procession in Mastung, Pakistan claims lives of at least 52

Tragic Suicide Attacks in Pakistan

Dozens Killed in Religious Procession

At least 52 people were tragically killed and many more injured in what authorities believe was a suicide attack during a religious procession in the Mastung district of Balochistan province, Pakistan. The attack took place as people were celebrating the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed. Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, has been plagued by a separatist insurgency demanding independence due to perceived exploitation of the region’s mineral resources.

Separate Blast during Friday Prayers

In a separate incident, a blast occurred during Friday prayers at a mosque near Peshawar City, in the Hangu Pakhtunkhwa province. This blast resulted in the death of two individuals and injured eleven others. Local police reported that two explosions caused the mosque’s roof to collapse, possibly trapping worshipers inside.

No Claim of Responsibility

No group has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack in Mastung. However, Mastung’s Assistant Commissioner, Atta Ul Munim, confirmed it as a suicide attack. It is believed that a senior police officer, who lost his life in the explosion, was the intended target.

Impact and Response

The critically injured victims have been transferred to hospitals in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, while others are receiving treatment at a local hospital in Mastung. Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister, Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, condemned the blast and expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased. In Karachi, the country’s largest city, police have been instructed to tighten security and remain on high alert following the attack.

Ongoing Violence in Balochistan

Balochistan has experienced a series of attacks in recent months. Last month, Pakistan’s military successfully thwarted an attack on Chinese engineers in Balochistan, resulting in the death of two militants. In March of this year, a suspected suicide blast claimed the lives of nine police officers and injured eleven others.

Attack on Hangu Mosque

Following the blast in Balochistan, attackers targeted a mosque in the northwest of Pakistan. Two men on bikes started shooting at police officers outside the Hangu mosque in Hangu Pakhtunkhwa province. One of the attackers then detonated an explosive near the mosque’s entrance, while the other detonated one inside the building. Some worshipers remained inside as the mosque’s roof collapsed during the attack.

Read More of this Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-09-29 10:00:00