The death toll of the suicide bombing near Quetta’s Shahwani Stadium on Tuesday night has risen to 13, hospital staff confirmed.

 

According to reports, at least 35 people were also injured in the explosion that occurred shortly after the conclusion of a public gathering of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) held to mark the death anniversary of the late Sardar Attaullah Mengal.

 

The gathering was attended by top leaders, including BNP-M chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Asghar Khan Achakzai of the Awami National Party (ANP) and former senator Mir Kabeer Muhammad Shai of the National Party.

 

Officials said the bomber detonated his explosives-laden jacket in the parking area as participants were leaving the meeting. All political leaders, however, remained safe.

 

According to police, the explosion occurred about 15 minutes after the meeting ended as the crowd dispersed.

 

The deceased were identified as Muhammad Ishaq, Najeebullah, Shan, Muhammad Hanif, Madad Khan, Waqir Ahmed, Hafeez, Abdul Nabi, Nasarullah, Allah Bakhsh, Najeebullah s/o Asadullah, Allah Bakhsh and Muhammad Waqar.

 

In a statement, Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Sarfraz Bugti condemned the blast, calling it a cowardly attack on innocent people. He said those behind the bombing were enemies of humanity and had spilled the blood of ordinary citizens to spread fear. 

 

The provincial chief executive vowed to “crush their nefarious designs,” adding that the attackers would be hunted down and punished.

 

“Violence will not be allowed to derail peace in Balochistan,” Bugti emphasised, noting that both the federal and provincial governments will work together to keep citizens safe.

 

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terror activities, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, since Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul in August 2021.

 

According to a report released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an Islamabad-based think tank, the country has witnessed 78 terrorist attacks during June this year, resulting in at least 100 deaths.