QUETTA, September 3: At least 14 people were killed and 35 others injured after a massive explosion rocked an area near a Balochistan National Party (BNP) rally in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, on Tuesday, according to The Express Tribune.
The blast occurred near Shahwani Stadium moments after an event commemorating the fourth death anniversary of Sardar Attaullah Mengal had concluded. Police said preliminary findings indicate the attack targeted BNP leader Akhtar Mengal and his convoy. Mengal escaped unharmed.
BNP spokesperson Sajid Tareen confirmed that 13 party workers were killed when the explosion hit seconds after Mengal’s vehicle passed by. “The moment Akhtar Mengal’s vehicle passed by, a loud explosion occurred,” Tareen said.
Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar confirmed the casualty figures, warning that several of the injured remain in critical condition.
Investigations Underway
Security forces quickly sealed off the area while rescue teams rushed victims to nearby hospitals. Authorities are investigating whether the blast was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) or a suicide bomber.
Later, Akhtar Mengal posted on X (formerly Twitter), confirming his safety but mourning the deaths of his party workers. “They gave their lives for our cause. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. This is a debt on me, and I will carry it with responsibility and resolve,” he wrote.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack as a “cowardly act by enemies of peace” aiming to destabilize the province. He directed authorities to ensure the best medical care for the injured and ordered a high-level probe into the incident.
A special committee has been formed to investigate the blast, while security measures have been tightened across Quetta.