Syed Ali Shah, Munir Shahwani, News Desk:
Balochistan, Mastung – Nov 1, 2024: A tragic explosion near Mastung Civil Hospital on Friday morning has claimed nine lives, including five children and a police officer, while leaving over two dozen injured. The blast, confirmed to be an improvised explosive device (IED) attack, detonated near a police mobile unit, causing devastation across the area.
Incident Details and Immediate Response
Kalat Division Commissioner Naeem Bazai reported that the blast occurred at approximately 8:35 am. Following the explosion, the wounded were rushed to nearby hospitals, including Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital and Mastung District Headquarters Hospital. Due to the severity of the injuries, eleven critically injured victims were later moved to the Quetta Trauma Centre (QTC) for advanced medical treatment.
Secretary Health Balochistan, Mujeeb ur Rehman Panezai, confirmed that the death toll had risen to nine with ongoing emergency responses in hospitals across the province to provide immediate care.
Public Reaction and Official Condemnation
Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, condemned the “brutal act” that targeted innocent civilians, including students, calling it an unforgivable offense. Bugti assured the public that all necessary actions would be taken to apprehend those responsible for the attack, vowing swift justice.
Heightened Security and Investigation
Following the incident, security measures in Mastung and surrounding areas have been intensified to prevent further attacks, with law enforcement agencies actively monitoring the situation as investigations continue to identify those behind the blast.
This tragic event underscores the ongoing security challenges in Balochistan, sparking renewed calls for enhanced safety measures and vigilance across the region.
