Mastung blast claims at least 43 lives

QUETTA: An explosion near a mosque in Mastung, Balochistan, claimed at least 43 lives with over 50 sustaining injuries on Friday.

The explosion occurred near Madina Masjid where people were gathering to participate in a procession to celebrate Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH).

Mastung Assistant Commissioner Atta Ul Munim said that the law enforcers believe it was a suicide blast.

According to the district administration, Mastung’s Deputy Superintendent of Police Nawaz Gashkori was among the deceased.

DHO Mastung Abdul Rasheed confirmed that the dead and injured were brought to Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Raisani Hospital and an emergency was declared in the hospital after the blast.

Some injured were also being shifted to Quetta hospitals, he added.

Doctors and paramedical staff were called for duty immediately, imposing an emergency in Civil Hospital, Quetta, and Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta, he added.

Meanwhile, President Dr Arif Alvi and Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Friday strongly condemned the Mastung blast.

Expressing their deep grief over the loss of precious lives, they sympathised with the victims’ families.

The president and prime minister prayed to Allah Almighty for peace of the departed souls and strength for the bereaved families to bear the loss with fortitude.

Praying for the early recovery of the injured, they directed the authorities concerned to provide the best possible medical facilities to them.

Prime Minister Kakar reiterated that the government was fully resolved to eliminate terrorism from the country.

Balochistan’s Caretaker Chief Minister Mir Ali Mardan Khan Domki also strongly condemned the bomb blast in Mastung.

The chief minister called for investigating the incident and demanded a report of the incident.

Domki said subversive elements do not deserve any concession. Those who targeted the peaceful procession would be dealt with an iron hand, he said. “We have to create complete unity in our ranks against terrorism. Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance.”

He added that those who commit such brutal acts cannot call themselves Muslims.

The chief minister expressed his sympathy to the bereaved families of the martyrs.

Balochistan’s Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai announced three days of mourning throughout the province over the tragic blast incident.

The purpose of mourning is to express solidarity with the families of the martyrs.

“National flags will remain at half-mast on government buildings during the three days of mourning,” he said.

Achakzai said the enemy wants to destroy religious tolerance and peace in Balochistan with foreign blessings.

Among others who condemned the Mastung explosion included Caretaker Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi and Caretaker Federal Minister for Human Rights George Khalil.

Caretaker Minister for Interior Sarfraz Bugti, in a statement, condemned the blast and said the state had zero-tolerance towards terrorists.

Former prime minister and PMLN President Shehbaz Sharif also expressed sorrow over loss of lives in Mastung.