QUETTA –
At least 52 people, including a police officer, were killed and more than 60 were injured in a suicide blast near an Eid Miladun Nabi procession in Mastung, a district in Balochistan province of Pakistan.
District Health Officer (DHO) Abdul Razzaq Shahi told media that 22 bodies were shifted to the DHQ hospital while others were shifted to other medical facilities.
He said dozens were being treated at local hospitals while more than 20 injured people have been shifted to Quetta for medical assistance as they are in critical condition.
The bomber detonated himself near the vehicle of the deputy superintendent of police (DSP), a police officer told international media, adding that the blast took place when people were gathering near a mosque for a procession to mark Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday, which is a public holiday in Pakistan.
The martyred DSP has been identified as Nawaz Gishkori who was to remain on the sidelines of the procession.
President Arif Alvi and caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Kakar have condemned the blast and called for strict action against the perpetrators.
More to follow…
