Pakistan suicide blast kills 52 and dozens more injured on day of religious festival
Pakistan suicide blast kills 52 and dozens more injured on day of religious festival
Reuters
A suicide blast in Pakistan has killed at least 52 people and has left dozens more injured.
The attack took place during a religious gathering to mark the birthday of Prophet Mohammed in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, health officials and police said.
At time of writing, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
“The bomber detonated himself near the vehicle of the Deputy Superintendent of Police,” Deputy Inspector General of Police Munir Ahmed said.
WATCH NOW: Aftermath of Pakistan suicide blast
Ahmed added that the blast took place near a mosque where people were gathering for a procession to mark Mohammad's birthday, which is a public holiday.
The Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an umbrella group of various hardline Sunni Islamist groups, denied it had carried out the attack.
Casualties are being treated at hospitals in the nearby town of Mastung.
Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti slammed the blast as a “very heinous act”.
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At least 52 are confirmed dead and dozens more are injured
Reuters
A senior police officer, Mohammad Nawaz is believed to be among the dead, government administrator Atta Ullah said.
The attack comes amid a surge in incidents claimed by militant groups in the west of the country, raising the stakes for security forces ahead of national elections scheduled for January next year.
In July, more than 40 people were killed in a suicide bombing in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province at a religious political party's gathering.
Muslims around the world celebrate the birthday of Islam’s prophet by holding public gatherings although a minority of Islamic sects view it as an unwarranted innovation.
Injured being loaded into an ambulance
Reuters
The region of Balochistan has been the site of previous attacks by armed groups.
Just earlier this month, 11 people were injured in a blast, including a prominent religious leader.
The region is known to be gas-rich and lies at the border of Afghanistan and Iran.
Low-level rebellions by Baloch separatists have been going on for nearly two decades as they have claimed a share of the province's resources.
However, the radical groups have recently been calling to make the region independent.