29 September 2023; MEMO: Suicide bombings ripped through two mosques in Pakistan on Friday, killing at least 57 people and injuring dozens more as believers marked the birthday of the Prophet Mohammad, police and health officials said, Reuters reports.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the blasts, one of which was reported to have trapped dozens under rubble.
A surge in militant attacks in Pakistan’s western provinces has cast a shadow on election preparations and public campaigning in the run-up to January’s general elections but, until now, the attacks had mostly targeted security forces.
The first blast, in Mastung in the south-western province of Balochistan, killed at least 52 people, according to district health official, Abdul Rasheed, and injured another 58, many of them seriously.
“The bomber detonated himself near a police vehicle near Madina Mosque, where people were gathering for a procession,” added senior police official, Munir Ahmed.
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The second attack, in neighbouring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killed five people at a mosque, according to rescue officials. The roof collapsed, broadcaster Geo News said, trapping about 30 to 40 people under the rubble.
The attack involved two explosions, one of which was at the mosque gate and the other in the compound, an official said.
“Luckily one blast was at the gate so worshippers were able to exit the mosque; as a result the casualties are low,” said the deputy Commissioner of Hangu district, Fazal Akbar...
