At Least 52 Lives Lost in Explosion at Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday Rally in Southwestern Pakistan

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In the district of Mastung, Baluchistan province, southwestern Pakistan, a devastating bomb blast occurred near a mosque during a gathering commemorating the birth anniversary of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad. The incident took place on a Friday and resulted in the tragic loss of a minimum of 52 individuals, while approximately 70 were left injured, according to reports from police and government officials.

The event, called Mawlid an-Nabi, attracts Muslims who hold processions and offer free meals to attendees. On this occasion, roughly 500 individuals had assembled for the celebration. Television coverage and social media footage depicted a scene of chaos near the mosque, littered with the footwear of the victims. Some of the deceased were covered with sheets, as first responders and local residents hurried to transfer the injured to medical facilities. A state of emergency was declared in the hospitals, and calls for blood donations were made.

Although Baluchistan has been a frequent target of insurgent attacks, these usually focus on military and security personnel. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, has disavowed attacks on places of worship and civilian populations.

Government administrator Atta Ullah reported that the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, and many were in critical condition. According to Abdul Rasheed, the District Health Officer in Mastung, 30 bodies were received by one hospital and an additional 22 at another facility. Among the casualties was Mohammad Nawaz, a senior police officer. Authorities are in the process of determining whether the explosion was a suicide bombing.

The attack happened mere days after an advisory had been issued to law enforcement agencies to be on maximum alert, cautioning that militants might target events celebrating the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday.

In another incident on the same day, an explosion damaged a mosque situated within the premises of a police station in Hangu, a district in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Seven individuals were wounded, stated Shah Raz Khan, a local law enforcement officer. The structure of the mud-brick mosque was compromised due to the impact, and efforts were underway to rescue trapped worshippers. The cause of this explosion remains undetermined.

President Arif Alvi vehemently condemned the attacks and directed authorities to extend all feasible assistance to the injured and families of the victims. Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti also denounced the bombing, labeling it a “heinous act,” particularly since it occurred during the Mawlid an-Nabi celebration.

Neither of the attacks were claimed by any group immediately, although the Pakistani Taliban promptly dissociated themselves from the Mastung bombing. Baluchistan has previously been targeted by the Islamic State group as well.

In a separate event on the same Friday, two soldiers were killed in the southwestern district of Zhob in Baluchistan, during an armed engagement with Pakistani Taliban insurgents, according to a military statement. Three militants were also killed in the confrontation.

Baluchistan province, abundant in natural gas reserves and bordering Afghanistan and Iran, has been embroiled in a low-level insurgency led by Baluch nationalists for over two decades. Initially demanding a fair share in provincial resources, the nationalists later escalated their activities to seek complete independence.

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Contributors to this story include Riaz Khan from Peshawar, Pakistan, and Munir Ahmed from Islamabad.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mastung Bombing in Baluchistan

More about Mastung Bombing in Baluchistan

• Mastung District Overview
• Baluchistan Province: History and Conflicts
• Mawlid an-Nabi: Significance and Celebrations
• Recent Insurgent Attacks in Pakistan
• Pakistan’s Government Response to Terrorism
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province: Regional Profile
• Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan: An Overview
• Islamic State Group: Activities in Pakistan
• Pakistani President Arif Alvi: Official Statements
• Emergency Measures in Hospitals: Best Practices