There was panic among the people due to a big explosion in Mastung, Balochistan. So far 52 people including one policeman have died in this attack.
पाकिस्तान: आत्मघाती हमले में 52 लोगों की मौत, कई घायल
At least 52 people were killed and around 50 others were injured on Friday when a suicide bomber blew himself up near a mosque in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province.
The blast took place when a large number of people had gathered outside the mosque for a rally to celebrate ‘Eid-e-Milad un Nabi’, the birthday of Prophet Mohammed. A few hours later, at least three people were killed and five others were injured in an explosion in another mosque in Hangu city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The blast took place near Madina Mosque on Al Falah Road in Mastung district in Balochistan. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
State of emergency imposed in hospitals
Mastung Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Nawaz Gashkori, who was on duty during the rally, was also among those killed in the suicide blast. The explosion occurred near the mosque when people had gathered on the occasion of Eid-Milad-un-Nabi. Eid-Milad un Nabi festival is celebrated on the birthday of Prophet Mohammad. 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. Lahari said that the injured are being admitted to medical centers while emergency has been imposed in hospitals.
Rescue teams sent to Mustang
Mastung District Health Officer Rashid Muhammad Saeed said that at least 52 people died and more than 50 were injured in the blast. The condition of some 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.
Terrorists do not deserve any mercy
Acting 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.” Domki has announced three days of state mourning in the state regarding this incident. Interim Home Minister Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti has also strongly condemned the incident. Bugti said, “Terrorists have no religion.” He said that all resources are being used during the rescue operation. He said that no stone will be left unturned in the treatment of the injured and the terrorists will be killed by any means. Are not entitled to mercy.
Shahbaz Sharif condemned
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. Following the attack in Balochistan, Punjab provincial police said its “hard-working officers” were performing their duty of protecting mosques during Friday prayers across the province. Karachi Police said Additional Inspector General Khadim Hussain Rind has directed the police to be 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. 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. Mustang has been the target of terrorist attacks for the past several years. At least 128 people were killed in a major attack in the district in July 2018. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has ended the ceasefire with the federal government and ordered its militants to carry out attacks across the country. The group, considered close to al-Qaeda, has been held responsible for several deadly attacks in Pakistan.
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