Two mosques in Pakistan were hit by a suicide bombing and another blast on Friday, resulting in the deaths of 57 people and more than 60 injuries. These attacks occurred during events commemorating the Prophet Mohammed’s birthday. There has been no claim of responsibility for the bombings, and they come amidst a recent increase in militant attacks, which poses a challenge for security forces ahead of the upcoming general elections in January.
According to media reports, the first blast took place in the Balochistan province, claiming the lives of 52 people. A district health official, Abdul Rasheed, confirmed the casualty count. Senior police official Munir Ahmed stated that the bomber detonated himself near a police vehicle parked near Madina Mosque where people had gathered for a procession.
The second blast occurred in the neighboring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, resulting in the deaths of five people. The blast caused the mosque roof to collapse, trapping around 30 to 40 people beneath the rubble.
Both Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces share borders with Afghanistan and have experienced attacks by Islamist militants in recent years. These militants seek to overthrow the Pakistani government and impose their version of strict Islamic law. The attack in Balochistan is notable as it targeted civilians, as militants have previously focused on security forces.
AP Photo/Arshad Butt
Television coverage showed numerous individuals assisting the injured and placing them into ambulances in the aftermath of the bombings. Abdul Rasheed, the health official, stated that at least 58 people were wounded, with many sustaining serious injuries, suggesting that the casualty count could rise. Militant attacks have seen a surge since the breakdown of a ceasefire between the government and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in 2022. The TTP, responsible for some of Pakistan’s deadliest attacks since its formation in 2007, denied involvement in Friday’s bombings.
In July, a suicide bombing at a religious political party’s gathering in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa resulted in the deaths of over 40 people.
(Reporting by Saleem Ahmed in Quetta, Ariba Shahid in Karachi; Writing by Shivam Patel; Editing by Miral Fahmy and Clarence Fernandez)
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