Blast in Mastung District of Balochistan Leaves 5 Dead, 13 Injured
A bomb blast in the Mastung district of Balochistan has resulted in the deaths of 5 people, including 3 children and a police officer, while 13 others, most of whom are children, were injured. The incident has sent shockwaves throughout the region and has been strongly condemned by the local authorities and high-ranking officials, including Chief Minister Balochistan Sarfaraz Bugti and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The blast occurred when a van carrying schoolchildren and a police vehicle passed through the area. The bomb was reportedly detonated by an improvised explosive device (IED) attached to a motorcycle. The incident is the latest in a series of violent incidents to hit the region, following a similar blast that occurred in July and another in September, which resulted in injuries and one death. The area has seen ongoing violence, including a shooting incident that injured 14 people and resulted in the death of journalist Nisar Lehri.
The provincial government has swiftly reacted to the incident, with Balochistan Health Minister Bakht Mohammad Kakar and Secretary Mujeeb ur Rahman declaring a state of emergency at nearby hospitals. Chief Minister Bugti has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice, comforting the families of the victims in their time of grief. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also pledged to swiftly apprehend those responsible and award them exemplary punishment, describing the attack as a "loud evidence of terrorists' animosity towards education in Balochistan". The incident highlights the ongoing struggle to maintain peace and stability in the region, where terrorist activities have surged this year, with several incidents already reported in 2022.
The injured are currently receiving medical attention at various healthcare facilities, including the Balochistan Civil Hospital, the Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital, and the Mastung District Headquarters Hospital. Five of the injured have been shifted to the Quetta Trauma Centre (QTC) and are stated to be in a serious condition.
The Mastung blast comes amidst heightened awareness among residents of urban areas to remain vigilant against the resurgence of terrorism in Balochistan. The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle to maintain peace and stability in the region, and the urgent need for collective efforts to prevent such incidents in the future.