Powerful Suicide Blasts Rip Through Mosques in Pakistan, Killing at Least 58 People and Injuring Over 100

Powerful Suicide Blasts Rip Through Mosques in Pakistan, Killing at Least 58 People and Injuring Over 100

Islamabad, Pakistan – At least 58 people were killed and over 100 others injured in two powerful suicide blasts that ripped through mosques in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces on Friday, police said.

The first blast occurred near Madina Mosque on Al Falah Road in the Mastung district of Balochistan province when people had gathered in large numbers to mark Eid Miladun Nabi, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.

“The explosion was a suicide blast. The bomber exploded himself next to the deputy superintendent of police’s car,” said Mohammad Javed Lehri, city station house officer of Mastung.

The second blast occurred at a mosque in Hangu city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing at least four people and injuring 12 others.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Balochistan has frequently been hit by terror groups including the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Islamic State group.

The attacks are likely to further destabilize Pakistan, which is already grappling with a number of challenges, including a weak economy, political instability, and terrorism.

The TTP, which was responsible for the deadly 2014 Peshawar school massacre, has recently stepped up its attacks in Pakistan. In August, the group claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at a mosque in Peshawar that killed 93 people.

The attacks have also raised concerns about the safety of religious minorities in Pakistan. The country has a long history of sectarian violence, and mosques and other religious sites have often been targeted by extremist groups.

• Pakistan
• suicide blasts
• mosques
• Balochistan
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
• Eid Miladun Nabi
• TTP
• Islamic State group
• terrorism
• sectarian violence

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