Syed Ali Shah: QUETTA:Â
At least 15 people were killed and 36 others injured in a powerful explosion at Shahwani Stadium in Quetta during a Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) gathering held to mark the death anniversary of veteran leader Sardar Atta Ullah Mengal.
Balochistan Health Minister confirmed the revised toll, stating that doctors and paramedical staff were on emergency duty. He added that the injured were being given immediate and best possible treatment, though the condition of several remained critical. Rescue teams shifted the wounded to Civil Hospital Quetta, where officials released a list of 29 patients under treatment. The deceased included Ishaq, Najeebullah, Shan, Hanif, and Madad Khan.
Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the attack, terming it a cowardly act aimed at spreading fear. He expressed solidarity with the victims’ families and directed health authorities to ensure proper medical care for the injured. The provincial government has ordered a high-level inquiry and formed a committee to investigate the causes and identify those responsible. Security forces cordoned off the area soon after the incident and began collecting evidence.
BNP leader Sajid Tareen Advocate said the party had already expressed concerns about possible security threats and had informed the district administration in advance. He confirmed that former MPA Ahmed Nawaz and senior party leader Musa Baloch were among those injured.
According to the Home Department, rescue operations were carried out immediately, while investigators launched a formal probe into the blast. Security has been tightened across Quetta and other sensitive areas in the aftermath of the bombing.
Meanwhile, political parties including BNP-M, Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) and National Party (NP) announced three days of mourning to condemn the attack. In their statements, they held the provincial government responsible for failing to provide adequate security and demanded that the perpetrators be brought to justice.
