Quetta, Pakistan (Agencies): Tragedy struck southwest Pakistan as a suicide attack during a religious procession resulted in the loss of at least 52 lives and left dozens more wounded on Friday.
The devastating explosion unfolded in the Mastung district of the turbulent Balochistan province, where people had gathered to commemorate the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed, as reported by Jan Achakzai, the province’s information minister, to media.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province in terms of land area, has grappled with a prolonged separatist insurgency. The insurgents have been advocating for independence from Pakistan, citing what they perceive as the state’s monopolization and exploitation of the region’s mineral resources.
Simultaneously, in another grim incident, a separate explosion rocked a mosque during Friday prayers in Hangu City in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, claiming the lives of at least four individuals and injuring 11 more.
Local law enforcement authorities said that two explosions occurred at the mosque in Hangu, causing the roof to collapse and potentially trapping worshippers within.
In Mastung, Assistant Commissioner Atta Ul Munim said that the explosion was indeed a suicide attack. Subsequently, Dr. Abdul Rasheed, the district health officer, revealed that 50 people had sustained injuries in the blast.
As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the tragic explosion in Mastung.