QUETTA– A powerful explosion struck a Balochistan National Party (BNP) rally in Quetta on Tuesday evening, killing at least 14 people and injuring 35 others, according to hospital officials.
The blast occurred near Shahwani Stadium shortly after an event marking the fourth death anniversary of BNP founder Sardar Attaullah Mengal had concluded. Police said the explosion appeared to target the convoy of BNP chief Akhtar Mengal, who narrowly escaped unharmed.
Mengal later confirmed his safety on social media but expressed grief over the loss of his supporters. “Thank you for your prayers and messages. I am safe, but deeply heartbroken at the loss of our workers. Around 15 have been martyred and many injured. They stood by me and gave their lives for our cause. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” he wrote.
The attack drew swift condemnation from human rights groups. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) demanded an impartial investigation, urging the government to restore order in the province and ensure political dialogue. “The right to life must be the first to be protected,” the HRCP said in a statement.
Paank, the human rights arm of the Baloch National Movement, accused the state of sponsoring the blast as part of a “broader genocidal policy” against the Baloch people.
Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ) also denounced the bombing, calling it an attempt to crush peaceful political movements with the backing of state-linked death squads and Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP). The group noted that ISIS had recently threatened to target Baloch nationalist leaders, including Mengal and activist Mahrang Baloch.
“Targeting peaceful political activists and human rights leaders with bomb blasts is the worst form of state terrorism and a blatant violation of human rights,” BVJ said, describing the attack as part of systematic efforts to silence democratic voices in Balochistan. (Source: IANS)
