QUETTA: A suicide bomber blew himself up near a sit-in led by Balochistan National Party (BNP) President Sardar Akhtar Mengal in Balochistan’s Mastung district on Saturday. The BNP chief and other protesters remained safe, with no fatalities reported; however, two party workers sustained minor injuries.
According to police, an unidentified armed man attempted to approach the protesters near the BNP’s sit-in in Mastung’s Lakpass area. However, volunteers stopped him, prompting the attacker to move away from the site before detonating himself.
A spokesperson for the Balochistan government said in a statement that a thorough investigation into the incident is under way, and its findings will be made public soon. He said the safety of protesters, including Sardar Akhtar Mengal and other leaders, and public, is the government’s responsibility.
He further said the provincial government has been in contact with the BNP leadership since Friday night and a BNP delegation also met with the administration.
He urged Sardar Akhtar Mengal, BNP and the public to cooperate with the government and help improve the situation through dialogue.
Speaking to the media at Lakpass sit-in, Sardar Akhtar Mengal said they would not be intimidated by such tactics, and the sit-in would continue until the release of women prisoners. He called for the release of Mahrang Baloch, Sammi Din Baloch, Bebow Baloch, and others. “If we are not allowed to sit in Quetta, we will continue the protest at the same location,” he added.
Mengal said, “The rally had just started when a suspicious individual was noticed by party workers and security personnel. When they tried to stop him from a distance, he pulled out a pistol and started running. Security workers chased him, and the suicide bomber then detonated the explosive from a distance.”
He said, “Despite passing of several hours, the administration failed to take any security measures.”
BNP’s central information secretary Advocate Agha Hassan Baloch said, “We had already expressed this concern yesterday. Today, a suicide bomber blew himself up near the long march sit-in. Our two workers sustained minor injuries.” He said two armed individuals were detained, while an accomplice of the suicide bomber was still at large. He said the government would be responsible if any harm came to Sardar Akhtar Mengal or others.
He stated this while addressing a news conference at the Quetta Press Club alongside other party leaders, including Malik Naseer Ahmed Shahwani, and former governor Malik Abdul Wali Kakar. They demanded of the government to investigate the incident and ensure the safety of their leaders and workers.
Agha Baloch said police used baton charge and resorted to shelling on long march participants at Toll Plaza, adding that five party workers were injured and 40 taken into custody.
According to reports, the Deputy Commissioner of Quetta had rejected BNP’s request for a protest rally due to tense law and order situation. The deputy commissioner informed Agha Hassan Baloch via a letter that the Home Department has imposed Section 144 due to the volatile security situation and, as a result, the BNP is not allowed to hold any rallies, protests, or meetings.
The letter stated that under Section 144, there is a complete ban on gatherings of five or more people, use of loudspeakers and display of weapons.
The deputy commissioner informed Agha Hassan Baloch that the District Intelligence Coordination Committee (DICC) had decided, due to security concerns, not to permit the rally or procession. He further informed that the BNP’s long march cannot enter the limits of Quetta. “If the march proceeds, the organisers will be held responsible for any untoward incidents, and legal action will be taken against them.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the suicide attack in a statement. He demanded of Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti to bring those responsible for the suicide attack to justice.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti also strongly condemned the suicide attack in a tweet on the social media platform X.
The chief minister said the government would conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident to bring the perpetrators to justice. He also mentioned that the government would provide all the necessary security for Sardar Akhtar Mengal.
He emphasised that terrorism in any form is unacceptable and must be condemned regardless of the target. The Balochistan government is taking all possible measures to ensure law and order in the province and will utilise all available resources to prevent such incidents, he added.
The chief minister directed the concerned authorities to conduct an immediate and comprehensive investigation, review all security aspects, and take necessary actions to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
He further stated that the government is committed to protecting the life and property of the people and will not compromise on this matter.