Syed Ali Shah, Manan Mandokhail, News Desk
Mastung: At least 55 people, including a senior police official, were killed when a suspected suicide bomber blew himself up near a procession commemorating Eid Miladun Nabi (PBUH) in Balochistan’s Mastung district on Friday, confirmed police.
Police officials confirmed that DSP Mastung Nawaz Gishkori was among those killed and at least 60 people were injured. Officials expressed fear that the number of casualties may increase. “It was like a doomsday”, Niaz Muhammad, a young man who lost a brother in the blast said. With a burst of tears, he said, “I lost my beloved brother”.
Heartbreaking scenes outside the hospital
Scores of broken family members and heirs of the Mastung blast were gathered outside the hospital. Heartbreaking scenes of the heirs were witnessed after they saw the dead bodies of their loved ones. “I cannot bear this huge loss”, Abdullah Baloch, another young man told Daily Quetta Voice with a burst of tears. Like Abdullah scores of heirs and family members of the victims were crying outside the hospital.
According to Mastung’s assistant commissioner, the blast took place near Al-Falah Mosque, where people were gathering to participate in the procession. “Terrorism poses a serious threat to the country”, Captain (R) Zubair Jamali, the Caretaker Balochistan Home Minister told Daily Quetta Voice.
CM Balochistan condemns the attack
The Caretaker Chief Minister Balochistan, Ali Mardan Domki strongly condemned the terrorist attack. In a statement issued after the incident, he said the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
Seriously injured and brought to Quetta
All seriously injured people in the blast were rushed to Quetta for medical treatment. An emergency was declared in all government-run hospitals of this provincial capital. “The death toll is above 50”, Asfandyar Khan, the Secretary of Health Balochistan told Daily Quetta Voice.
He said over 100 were injured in the attack. “We put all departments on high alert”, he said.
Security forces on alert
Following the bomb attack in Mastung, Karachi Police stated that police will remain “completely on high alert” on the directions of Additional Inspector General Khadim Husain Rind.
The senior police official ordered the force to tighten security measures to safeguard Eid Miladun Nabi events and processions across the city.
Condemnations
Shortly after the blast, condolences poured in. “The morale of the nation cannot be weakened by cowardly acts of terror,” said Interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi.
“All of Pakistan is united against the scourge of terrorism. Terrorist elements do not deserve any concession,” he said, adding that with the cooperation of security forces, the “monster of terrorism” will be eliminated completely.
Solangi also offered condolences to the aggrieved families and prayed for the departed souls while strongly condemning the attack.
In a similar statement made on X, formerly Twitter, Interim Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said that attacking innocent people during an Eid Miladun Nabi is a “terrible act”.
