QUETTA: The death toll from a powerful suicide bombing at a political rally in Pakistan’s southwestern Quetta city has risen to 13, with more than 35 others wounded, officials confirmed Wednesday.
The blast ripped through the parking area outside Shahwani Stadium late Tuesday as crowds were dispersing from a Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) rally marking the death anniversary of the party’s founder, Sardar Attaullah Mengal.
Leaders escape unhurt
BNP chief and lawmaker Sardar Akhtar Mengal, who led the gathering, remained unhurt. Senior politicians including Mehmood Khan Achakzai of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), Asghar Khan Achakzai of the Awami National Party (ANP), and Mir Kabeer Muhammad Shai of the National Party also escaped unharmed.
Party vice president Sajid Tareen said former MPA Ahmed Nawaz Baloch and labour secretary Musa Jan Baloch were among those injured.
“Thirteen of our workers have been martyred and several others have been wounded,” Tarin told reporters outside the Civil hospital Quetta.
Victims and casualties
Hospital officials said several of the wounded were in critical condition. The deceased included at least a dozen BNP supporters.
Government response
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack as a “cowardly act of the enemies of humanity,” vowing that perpetrators would be brought to justice.
“Protection of people’s lives and property is the government’s foremost responsibility,” Bugti said, adding that hospitals had been placed on high alert and a high-level investigation had been ordered.
Authorities confirmed it was a suicide attack, with the bomber detonating his explosives-laden vest near the leaders’ convoy. Six vehicles, including bulletproof cars, were damaged.
