Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

Pakistan: Quetta Suicide Blast Kills 17, Injures Over 36


(MENAFN- Khaama Press) A deadly suicide bombing struck Quetta, Pakistan's Balochistan capital, killing at least 17 people and injuring over 36 during a crowded memorial gathering, officials confirmed.
A deadly suicide bombing rocked Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, leaving at least 17 people dead and more than 36 injured, officials confirmed.

The attack occurred near Shaheed Shuhada Stadium in Quetta's Shahwani area, where hundreds had gathered to commemorate the death anniversary of Baloch leader Attaullah Mengal.

According to eyewitnesses, a suicide attacker detonated explosives close to the entrance of the venue, causing chaos and devastation among the crowd. Security forces quickly cordoned off the area.

Prominent politicians, including Mahmood Khan Achakzai, chief of the Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party, and Sardar Akhtar Mengal, president of the Balochistan National Party, were present but escaped unhurt.

Rescue teams rushed the injured to Civil Hospital Quetta, where authorities declared a state of emergency. Doctors said several victims were in critical condition, raising fears of a higher death toll.

So far, no militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, such assaults in Balochistan are often linked to separatist groups or extremist outfits active in the province.

Balochistan, Pakistan's largest yet least developed province, has long faced insurgent violence, sectarian attacks, and political unrest. The region remains one of the most volatile areas in the country.

The Quetta blast has once again highlighted Pakistan's fragile security environment, with observers urging the government to strengthen counter-terrorism measures and ensure the safety of political gatherings in the province.

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