On Friday, September 29, in the Mastung district of Balochistan province, Pakistan, a devastating suicide bombing occurred, targeting a religious procession marking the birthday of Prophet Mohammed. The attack resulted in the tragic loss of at least 57 lives, leaving over 58 individuals injured, many in critical condition.
This procession of worshippers was emerging from a mosque when the explosion took place. As of yet, no specific group has taken responsibility for the horrific act. However, groups such as the Pakistani Taliban and ISIS-Khorasan, known to operate within Pakistan and Afghanistan, have previously carried out similar attacks in Balochistan. Moreover, hours following the initial tragedy, another separate explosion transpired at a mosque in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province during Friday prayers. This subsequent blast caused a roof collapse, resulting in the death of five more individuals, with numerous worshippers trapped beneath the rubble.
The senior police officer, Mohammad Nawaz, was among those tragically killed in the Mastung attack. Although it was clear that the blast was a targeted act of terrorism, official investigations are underway to ascertain whether it was a suicide attack specifically. Despite prior warnings and the police being on high alert, the attack sadly wasn’t thwarted.
The series of attacks elicited strong condemnations from Pakistani officials. Both the president and the interior minister of Pakistan expressed their deep condolences and condemned the attacks. In the wake of these events, security measures have been significantly ramped up around mosques in major Pakistani cities, especially during prayer times.
The Balochistan province, rich in gas resources, is no stranger to violent incidents. It has witnessed both a low-intensity rebellion led by Baloch separatists spanning over two decades and attacks by Islamic State elements. The separatists primarily demand a more equitable share of the province’s wealth and resources. The province, along with its neighboring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, shares a border with Afghanistan, making it vulnerable to infiltrations and attacks by Islamist militants aiming to challenge the Pakistani state.
