A suicide bomb blast outside a meeting of the National Party-Mengal (BNP) killed at least 15 people and injured more than 30. The Islamic State (IS) later took responsibility for this attack. According to The Baluchistan Post, the explosion occurred shortly after the rally ended near the Shahwani Stadium on Monday evening. According to The Baluchistan Post, health officials have confirmed that five of the injured later died, while around 30 were undergoing treatment. Some seriously injured may be shifted to Karachi for advanced treatment. The Islamic State, through its media channels, identified the attacker as “Ali al-Muhajir” and described the cause of the attack as the nationalist and democratic politics of BNP.
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This was not the first such attempt against BNP leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal. During a dharna demonstration in Mastung in March, a suicide bomber tried to target him. After Monday’s explosion, Mangal accused the state of negligence and claimed that their security was withdrawn despite repeated threats. He also alleged that the rally deliberately raised bureaucracy obstacles, as the Baluchistan Post reported. BNP has announced three days of mourning, and shops will remain closed in Mengal’s hometown. Advocate groups from Makran, including the High Court Bar Association, boycotted the court proceedings, showing solidarity.
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Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and Baloch National Movement (BNM) condemned the attack, describing it as a planned attempt to suppress Baloch political expression. BNM leader Nasim Baloch said that this bomb blast has given a terrible message to all Baloch groups, even those who participated in parliamentary politics.
However, government officials defended their works. Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Hamza Shafkat said that the authorities had warned the BNP to end the rally quickly due to security threats and confirmed that 120 policemen were deployed. He further said that after the evening prayers, strict rules will be implemented including ban on political programs.