Black Friday As 50 Killed, Dozens Wounded In Twin Pakistani Blasts

The New Diplomat
Writer

Ad

The Need for Nigeria to Lead Africa in the Emerging Age of Artificial Intelligence

By Sonny Iroche Introduction: Standing at the Threshold of the Fourth Industrial Revolution The world is on the cusp of a seismic transformation driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Just as steam engines powered the first Industrial Revolution, electricity and mechanization the second, and digital computing the third, AI is the defining force of the Fourth…

Why Wike Should Resign or Be Sacked: A Call to Organized Civil Society in Nigeria to Uphold Anti-corruption Standards with Consistency, By Frank Tietie

By Frank Tietie The revelations by Nigerian social crusader, investigative journalist, and activist Omoyele Sowore regarding the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyiesome Wike, are serious and warrant the attention of all Nigerians who care about the integrity of the country. Sowore has alleged that Wike laundered funds and concealed the purchase of…

Dangote Refinery Slams PENGASSAN, Describes Order as ‘Economic Sabotage’

By Abiola Olawale In an escalating labor showdown, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has fired back at the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), criticising the latter’s order on Saturday. This is as the refinery owned by Africa’s richest person, Alhaji Aliko Dangote described PENGASSAN's order to cut crude oil and gas…

Ad

By Ayo Yusuf

At least 50 people have been killed and more than 50 others injured in Pakistan, in two suicide bomb attacks that blighted yesterday’s celebration of the birth of Prophet Mohammad.

The first blast happened near a mosque in the southwestern province of Balochistan on Friday as people gathered to celebrate the birth of the Prophet .

Officials in Balochistan have declared a state of emergency although no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

A separate blast took place at a mosque near Peshawar City in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province when another suicide attack by two men at a mosque led to a roof collapse that killed four people, officials said.

While the celebration of the Prophet’s birthday is accepted by the majority of Islamic sects in Pakistan, certain denominations view it as an unwarranted innovation.

In southwestern Balochistan, officials said a suicide bomber detonated a device as rallies from neighbourhood mosques converged on a meeting point in Mastung, around 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of the provincial capital, Quetta.

“All of a sudden I heard an explosion… many people got injured and many were martyred,” said Ilyas Khan, a student.

Local hospitals were overwhelmed by the number of wounded, and provincial authorities used social media platforms to appeal for blood donors.

“At least 45 fatalities have been confirmed, and 70 individuals have sustained injuries in the explosion,” Zubair Jamali, the provincial home minister, said.

A district police officer gave a slightly lower toll. “I can confirm that the current death toll has risen to a minimum of 42 individuals, with over 65 others injured,” Shoaib Masood said.

Every year, mosques and government buildings are elaborately illuminated with strings of lights, and people march in processions to mark the Prophet’s birthday.

On the same occasion in April 2006, a suicide bomber killed at least 50 people in the port city of Karachi after detonating a device at a gathering of Sunni Muslims.

Surge In Violence

Friday’s blast comes as Pakistan prepares for an election due in January next year – while grappling with a political crisis, a crippled economy, and a surge in militant violence inspired by the return to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2021.

Jan Achakzai, Balochistan’s minister for information, announced a three-day mourning period.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s least populous province, is also home to several militant groups fighting for independence or a greater share of the region’s mineral resources.

Hundreds of kilometres north in Hangu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, four people were killed after the roof of a mosque collapsed following a blast as two gunmen attempted to storm the building.

“They were intercepted at the gate of the mosque and an exchange of fire ensued,” Nisar Ahmed, a senior police official, told AFP.

“Subsequently, an explosion occurred, resulting in the collapse of the mosque’s roof.”

In July, more than 40 people were killed in a suicide bombing in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at a religious political party’s gathering.

Pakistan’s Taliban have stepped up attacks against military and government targets since the return to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan in August 2021.

But the group said it had nothing to do with the Balochistan attack.
The regional chapter of the Islamic State group, known as Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), has also carried out attacks in the area in the past.

“The attack on innocent people who came to participate in the procession… is a very heinous act,” the interior ministry said in a statement.

Pakistan’s military said Friday four soldiers had been killed as they fought an attempt by TTP militants to infiltrate Balochistan from Afghanistan.

Ad

Unlocking Opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea during UNGA80
X whatsapp