(DDM) – A deadly suicide bombing struck near a political rally in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, killing 15 and injuring more than 30.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the explosion erupted on Tuesday night in the parking area of a stadium in Quetta, the provincial capital, where hundreds of members of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) had assembled.
Authorities confirmed on Wednesday that the death toll had risen to 15, while the Islamic State militant group swiftly claimed responsibility for the blast.
The political gathering was organized to commemorate Ataullah Mengal, the late former chief minister of Balochistan, who died in 2021.
Provincial health minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar said the suicide bomber was unable to penetrate the venue due to heavy security deployed around the stadium.
Officials disclosed that more than 120 police personnel had been stationed at the rally, which prevented an even larger catastrophe.
Government representative Hamza Shafqaat explained that the damage would have been significantly worse if the attacker had breached the main gathering.
Survivors described scenes of panic and chaos as the bomb tore through the parking lot, scattering debris and injuring dozens.
One survivor, Zaman Baloch, recounted that he was standing some distance away when he heard the loud blast before being struck by shrapnel.
Another injured attendee, Noor Ahmad, said he heard the explosion before realizing people around him were collapsing in pools of blood.
BNP leader Ahmed Nawaz, who suffered injuries, told BBC Urdu the detonation occurred about 200 feet from the main venue.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the assault, calling it “damning evidence of the nefarious conspiracy by terrorists to spread chaos in Balochistan.”
He vowed that Pakistan’s government would not allow militants to destabilize the country’s most fragile province.
Balochistan, bordering Afghanistan and Iran, remains Pakistan’s largest but poorest region, frequently targeted by militant groups.
The province has suffered repeated strikes from Islamic State and separatist organizations, creating persistent insecurity for residents.
In February 2024, Islamic State claimed responsibility for bombing election offices in Balochistan, killing more than 20 on the eve of parliamentary polls.
Last November, another suicide attack claimed more than 20 lives at Quetta’s railway station, with the Baloch Liberation Army taking responsibility.
The violence escalated further in March this year when militants hijacked a train carrying 400 passengers, demanding the release of Baloch political prisoners.
Security experts say these attacks underscore the volatility of Balochistan, which remains a flashpoint for both Islamist and separatist insurgencies.
The BNP rally targeted on Tuesday was meant as a peaceful commemoration but instead turned into yet another tragedy.
For many in Quetta, the blast reinforced fears that public gatherings remain vulnerable despite heightened security.
Officials stressed that counter-terror operations will continue, but the region’s residents are bracing for further bloodshed.
The attack has reignited debate in Pakistan about how to secure Balochistan and prevent militants from exploiting its instability.
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