In a heartbreaking turn of events, Pakistan has been left in mourning as two separate bombings targeted mosques, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 57 lives, including seven innocent children. These horrifying incidents unfolded as worshippers gathered to commemorate the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed. Authorities, grappling with the aftermath, fear that the death toll may rise further due to the severity of injuries and the desperate search for survivors buried beneath the debris.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for these devastating attacks, leaving a nation in shock and grief. The first explosion rocked Mastung, a town located in the southwestern province of Balochistan. Here, a suicide bomber detonated his explosives near a police vehicle, which was stationed as people gathered for a religious procession. Munir Ahmed, a senior police official, reported at least 52 fatalities, including seven children aged between nine and eleven, with an additional 58 individuals sustaining injuries.
Eyewitness Munir Ahmed Shahwani described the horrific scene, saying, “The injured were crying for help, and I saw at least 25 bodies on the spot, which included small children.” This heart-wrenching tragedy claimed the life of Deputy Superintendent of Police Nawaz Gishkori, who valiantly attempted to stop the suicide bomber but tragically perished in the process.
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The gathering in Mastung was held at a mosque affiliated with the Barelvi sect and involved participants carrying flags and banners, fervently commemorating the Prophet’s birthday.
The second attack occurred in the neighboring province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where a mosque situated within a police compound was targeted. Rescue officials reported five fatalities, and the blast resulted in the collapse of the mosque’s roof, trapping an estimated 30 to 40 individuals under the rubble. This brutal attack featured two explosions, one at the mosque’s entrance and the other within the compound.
The surge in militant attacks within Pakistan’s western provinces has cast a dark shadow over the preparations and campaigning leading up to the general elections scheduled for January. While previous attacks primarily targeted security forces, these recent bombings have shaken the nation’s sense of security.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar, currently in Saudi Arabia for the religious pilgrimage of Umrah, vehemently condemned these reprehensible acts of violence and called for unwavering support for the victims. Kakar, leading the caretaker government entrusted with overseeing the upcoming elections, expressed his determination to ensure a secure and peaceful electoral process.

The rise in militant attacks can be traced back to 2022 when a ceasefire between the government and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a coalition of hardline Sunni Islamist groups, broke down. Despite their history of orchestrating some of Pakistan’s deadliest attacks since their formation in 2007, the TTP denied any involvement in these Friday bombings.
Tragically, this is not the first time Pakistan has been rocked by such devastating attacks. In July, over 40 lives were lost in a suicide bombing during a gathering of a religious political party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The self-proclaimed Islamic State group (IS) claimed responsibility for that heinous act, further emphasizing the pressing need for security and stability in the region.