On 29 September 2023, a

suicide bombing A suicide attack is any violent attack, usually entailing the attacker detonating an explosive, where the attacker has accepted their own death as a direct result of the attacking method used. Suicide attacks have occurred throughout histor ...

occurred in the Mastung District of Balochistan, Pakistan during the Eid Milad-ul-Nabi procession, which commemorates the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. The explosion took place near the Madina Mosque, causing at least 60 deaths and between 50 and 70 injuries. Among the deceased was Mastung's deputy superintendent of police, Nawaz Gashkori. This event is one of several attacks that have occurred in Balochistan over the past decade. In the aftermath of the bombing, provincial authorities declared an emergency, dispatching rescue teams to the site. The incident was widely covered by social media, showing both the impact of the explosion and the immediate response. Various international and domestic leaders, including UN Secretary-General

António Guterres António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres ( , ; born 30 April 1949) is a Portuguese politician and diplomat. Since 2017, he has served as secretary-general of the United Nations, the ninth person to hold this title. A member of the Portuguese Socia ...

, Pakistani Prime Minister

Anwaar ul Haq Kakar Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar (; ; born 1971) is a Pakistani politician who is currently serving as the caretaker prime minister of Pakistan, in office since August 2023. He succeeded Shehbaz Sharif. He previously served as the spokesperson of the Governme ...

, and President Arif Alvi, issued statements condemning the act. As of September 2023, no group has officially claimed responsibility for the bombing. Some experts, based on the modus operandi, suspect the involvement of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Background

Jihadists and Baloch separatists have carried out attacks for several years in Balochistan. These include major insurgent attacks in Mastung, totalling deaths and injuries, in

2011 File:2011 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: a protester partaking in Occupy Wall Street heralds the beginning of the Occupy movement; protests against Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, who was killed that October; a young man celebrate ...

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and

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Bombing

The explosion occurred in close proximity to the Madina Mosque, where individuals were congregating for a religious procession. The event, which included individuals waving flags and banners, took place inside a mosque affiliated with the Barelvi sect, which is typically seen as more moderate than hardline Islamic sects such as

Salafism The Salafi movement or Salafism () is a Islah, reform branch movement within Sunni Islam that originated during the nineteenth century. The name refers to advocacy of a return to the traditions of the "pious predecessors" (), the first three g ...

. Law enforcement authorities suspect that this was a deliberate suicide attack targeting the religious gathering, adding that the perpetrator blew himself up near the vehicle of Deputy Superintendent of Police Nawaz Gishkori who suspected the bomber and tried to stop him. In response, the area was cordoned off by law enforcement, and the casualties were transported to nearby medical facilities. An emergency was declared in the hospitals to ensure efficient medical assistance to the injured.

Casualties

At least 60 deaths were reported, including children. Additionally, a substantial number of individuals were injured, with reports indicating between 50 and 70 injuries. Among the victims of the blast was Gashkori and another senior police officer. A considerable number of those injured were in critical condition.

Response

Following the blast, a state of emergency was declared by provincial officials. Rescue teams were dispatched to Mastung, and those severely injured were transported to Quetta for medical care. Videos circulating on social media showed the injured being rescued and aided by both emergency responders and local individuals.

Reactions

Pakistani Prime Minister

condemned the blast and expressed condolences for the victims. Pakistani President Arif Alvi also condemned the attack.

Sarfraz Bugti Mir Sarfraz Bugti (Urdu, bal, ) (born June 1, 1981) is a Pakistani politician. He is the son of Mir Ghulam Qadir Masori Bugti. The latter is the pioneer of the middle-class movement against the tribal Sardars of Dera Bugti. Sarfraz Bugti is a ...

, the interior minister, called it a "heinous act" and claimed that India's foreign intelligence agency, the

Research and Analysis Wing The Research and Analysis Wing (abbreviated R&AW; hi, ) is the foreign intelligence agency of India. The agency's primary function is gathering foreign intelligence, counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation, advising Indian policymakers, an ...

, was involved in the recent terror attacks in Balochistan. Information Minister Jan Achakzai announced a three-day mourning period in Balochistan for the victims of the attack. On 30 September, the Pakistani flag was lowered to half-mast on the

Balochistan Assembly The Provincial Assembly of Balochistan is a unicameral legislature of elected representatives of the Pakistani province of Balochistan, and is located in Quetta, the provincial capital. It was established under Article 106 of the Constitution of ...

, Chief Minister's House, Governor's House, the

Balochistan High Court The Balochistan High Court ( ur, ) is the highest judicial institution of Balochistan, Pakistan. The court is formally known as the High Court of Balochistan. It is situated in the provincial capital, Quetta. Mir Ali Dost Bugti was the first ...

, and other government buildings in the province. The

Organization of Islamic Cooperation An organization or organisation (Commonwealth English; see spelling differences), is an entity—such as a company, an institution, or an association—comprising one or more people and having a particular purpose. The word is derived from ...

(OIC) stated in response to the bombing, that the bloc stood "against all forms and manifestations of terrorism and expressed full support for Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism" and offered its deepest condolences to the victims and their families. The Pakistani Taliban denied involvement in the incident, saying in a statement that such an attack went against its policies. UN Secretary-General

condemned the attack adding that it was "abhorrent that these attacks targeted people during peaceful, religious ceremonies". The United States, France, the United Kingdom, Turkey, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Egypt also condemned the attack. On 1 October, the Association of Business Community Members in Balochistan shut down their shops to mourn the victims of the attack and show solidarity with their families. The provincial government announced compensation of 1.5 million rupees ($5,184) for victims of the blast.

Responsibility

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing. Amir Rana, director of the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, said the attack in Mastung and the

Hangu mosque bombing On 29 September 2023, a bomb exploded inside a mosque during Friday prayers in Doaba, Hangu, Pakistan, Hangu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The blast killed five people and injured six others. The attack occurred hours after a 2023 Mastung bombi ...

– which happened a few hours afterwards – appeared to be the work of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

References

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