Mastung blast toll hits 60 as suspicion falls on RAW

Interior minister vows to bring perpetrators to justice

QUETTA:

The death toll from Friday’s grisly Mastung blast has climbed to 60, while interim Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said all fingers point towards India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for the deadly explosion.

At least 55 people, including a policeman, died and 60 others were injured when a suicide bomber targeted an Eid Miladun Nabi procession in the remote district of Mastung, Balochistan.

The attack took place during the preparations for Friday prayers and celebrations of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birth anniversary. "Five more injured succumbed to their injuries during treatment at the hospital," Waseem Baig, the spokesperson for the Quetta Civil Hospital, said, adding that the condition of over a dozen others injured in the blast was still critical.

Baig informed that 25 injured had been discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment.

After the blast, dozens of the injured had been admitted to various government-run hospitals in Quetta. The provincial government already declared an emergency at all government-run hospitals to provide the best and timely medical treatment to the injured.

However, Interior Minister Bugti said, “Those who were seriously injured in the deadly bombing were shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH).” He mentioned that they were shifted to the CMH on the instructions of Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir.

Caretaker Balochistan Chief Minister Ali Mardan Domki visited the hospital and inquired after the health of the injured. He directed the health department to ensure provision of the best healthcare to those who were injured in the blast.

"The elements behind this terrorist attack will be brought to justice," Domki said while interacting with the media during his visit to the hospital.

Addressing a hurriedly called news conference at the CM Secretariat, Interior Minister Bugti said, “RAW is behind the deadly Mastung blast. As a state, we have decided to eliminate terrorists and their facilitators." Balochistan Home Minister Captain (retd) Zubair Jamali, Information Minister Jan Achakzai and others were also present.

Bugti said that the elements involved in this heinous crime would be brought to book and that the government had directed all law enforcement agencies to arrest the culprits. "[There is] zero tolerance [for terrorist activities] and no place for terrorism and extremism," Bugti warned. The minister said intelligence based operations would be conducted to apprehend and eliminate the terrorists involved in such tragic incidents.

"This is a tragedy beyond words … my heart goes out to the broken families," he said. "As a state, we know who is behind such tragic incidents." He said that the government also knew who was sponsoring such terrorist attacks. "We cannot tolerate bloodshed of innocent Pakistanis," Bugti said.

Read At least 50 killed, scores injured in blast near Eid Miladun Nabi procession in Mastung

He said no one would be allowed to shed the blood of innocent people in the sacred name of Islam. "There will be no pardon for such elements," he warned. "Enough is enough," Bugti roared, vowing that the writ of the state would be established at all costs. The facilitators of such tragedies would be exposed, he said.

Bugti said that the recent attacks in Balochistan were also being investigated as at times, an attack would be conducted by one organisation and another would claim its responsibility. “Whether it is Da’esh or TTP or anyone else… anyone committing violence under any banner… violence will only be exercised by the state,” Bugti said.

Ittehad Tanzeem Ahle Sunnat Balochistan announced a complete shutter-down strike across the province to mourn the tragic incident.

Addressing a news conference at the Quetta Press Club, Allama Muhammad Qasim Qasmi lashed out at the provincial and federal governments for what he claimed was their failure in providing security to the peaceful procession in the Mastung district of Balochistan.

"We want justice," he demanded.

The religious scholars demanded that the traders' community and people belonging to various walks of life support the shutter-down strike to condemn the deadly terrorist attack in Mastung.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack so far. However, the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), responsible for some of the bloodiest attacks in the country, denied its involvement.

On the instructions of the provincial government, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Saturday lodged a first information report against unidentified terrorists.

In a statement, the CTD said that an FIR with murder charges and terrorism offences under the Anti-Terrorism and Explosive Act had been filed against unidentified culprits.

The CTD said that investigation was under way and no arrest had been made so far.

Condemnation

The international community, including the United States, strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Mastung, extending their condolences to the families of the victims of the blasts.

In a statement on social networking website X, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller shared Washigton's condemnation of the "suicide attack in Balochistan that killed and injured worshippers and others".

Read At least five dead in suicide attack on mosque in K-P's Hangu

In a separate post on X, US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome, too, extended his support for Pakistan on behalf of the US, adding that the nation's hearts go out to the victims and families.

The Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed its condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist attack, reaffirming the Kingdom's firm position calling for the rejection of violence and terrorism wherever it occurs.

Saudi Arabia extended full solidarity with assurance to stand by Pakistan and its brotherly people in this momentous event.

The United Arab Emirates' Foreign Affairs Ministry, in a statement condemning the attack, wrote: "The UAE expresses its strong condemnation of the criminal act, and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability in contravention of human values and principles."

Besides, Iraq, Algeria, France, Türkiye, and Egypt also condemned the terrorist attack.

In their separate statements, they expressed condolences over the loss of precious human lives and offered solidarity with the government and the people of Pakistan.

The countries also renewed their firm stance against all forms of violence, terrorism, and intimidation of citizens, praying for the early and speedy recovery of the injured.