Suicide Bombing at Political Rally in Pakistan Claims 13 Lives
A suicide bombing outside a political rally in southwestern Pakistan has resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people and injuries to around 30 others. The incident occurred on the evening of October 3, 2023, in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, as supporters of the Balochistan National Party were leaving a stadium following a gathering to commemorate the anniversary of prominent nationalist leader Sardar Ataullah Mengal.
The local police chief, Majeed Qaisrani, reported that the explosion happened near a graveyard adjacent to the stadium. The attacker’s body parts were recovered from the scene, indicating the nature of the attack. According to Waseem Baig, a spokesperson for a local government hospital, the facility received the bodies of 13 victims along with numerous wounded, several of whom are in critical condition.
While no group has claimed responsibility for the bombing, it has sparked strong reactions from local and national officials. Akhtar Mengal, the leader of the Balochistan National Party and a vocal critic of the government, was present at the rally but was unharmed. Many of his supporters, however, were among those killed and injured, confirmed police officer Usama Ameen.
In the wake of the attack, Sarfraz Bugti, the Chief Minister of Balochistan, condemned the bombing as a “cowardly act of the enemies of humanity.” He has ordered that all necessary medical assistance be provided to the injured and has initiated a high-level investigation to identify the perpetrators.
At the national level, Mohsin Naqvi, the Interior Minister, denounced the attack and accused “India-backed terrorists and their facilitators” of attempting to destabilize Pakistan by targeting civilians. This assertion, however, was made without providing evidence. The government has frequently charged India with supporting various militant groups operating within Pakistan, a claim that New Delhi consistently denies.
Balochistan has long faced challenges related to a low-level insurgency, with groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) advocating for independence from the Pakistani government. Historically, these separatist groups have focused their attacks on security forces and workers from Pakistan’s Punjab province. Although authorities assert that the insurgency has been largely contained, violence persists in the region.
In a recent incident in July, gunmen abducted and killed nine people after halting two passenger buses traveling from Quetta to Punjab province. Most of these attacks have been attributed to the outlawed BLA group, highlighting the ongoing instability in Balochistan.
As the investigation into this latest bombing unfolds, the local community mourns the loss of life and grapples with the continuing threat of violence in the region.
