A suspected suicide bomber detonated explosives amidst a gathering of individuals commemorating the Prophet Muhammad's birthday in southwestern Pakistan on Friday, resulting in the deaths of at least 52 people and injuries to nearly 70 others, according to authorities. This incident ranks among the deadliest attacks against civilians in the country in several months.
Although no group immediately claimed responsibility for the assault in Mastung, a district within Baluchistan province, there are strong suspicions regarding the involvement of the regional affiliate of the militant Islamic State group, which has claimed responsibility for previous lethal bombings in Pakistan. Recently, this affiliate conducted an attack in the same area following the death of one of its commanders.
On the day of the incident, approximately 500 people had assembled for a procession from a mosque to observe the Prophet's birth, known as Mawlid an-Nabi. Similar events took place in communities throughout Pakistan, often featuring parades involving children in traditional attire. The explosion occurred before the procession in Mastung could commence.
This bombing transpired shortly after authorities had warned the police to maintain the highest level of alertness, as militants were believed to be targeting gatherings related to Mawlid an-Nabi.
Furthermore, on the same day, an explosion occurred within a mosque situated on the premises of a police station in Hangu, a district in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals and injuries to seven others, as reported by Shah Raz Khan, a local police officer. Two suicide bombers approached the mud-brick mosque, and while guards managed to neutralize one of them, the other infiltrated the mosque and triggered his explosives. The mosque collapsed, trapping approximately 40 people inside who were in the midst of worship, most of whom were police officers. Rescue efforts were underway to extract individuals from the debris. No entity has claimed responsibility for the attacks in Mastung and Hangu.
It is highly probable that suspicion will center on the Islamic State in Khorasan Province, which is the known affiliate of IS in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This group has displayed greater ruthlessness in targeting both civilian populations and places of worship, primarily Shiite Muslim mosques, but also Sunni ones such as the one in Mastung. Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti labeled the Mastung bombing as a "heinous act" aimed at those participating in the Mawlid an-Nabi procession in a statement.
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