Large Blast at Mosque in Pakistan Leaves 59 Dead, Government Blames India’s Intelligence Agency
QUETTA, Sept 30 (Reuters) – The death toll from a large blast at a mosque in Pakistan has risen to 59, as the government vows to find the perpetrators and accuses India’s intelligence agency of being involved.
The blast occurred on Friday at a mosque in Mastung, a town in the southern province of Balochistan. A bomber detonated his explosives near a police vehicle where people were gathering for a procession to mark the birthday of the Prophet Mohammad.
Pakistani officials have long claimed that India sponsors violent groups in Pakistan, allegations that India has always denied.
“Civil, military and all other institutions will jointly strike against the elements involved in the Mastung suicide bombing,” said interior minister Sarfaraz Bugti. He added, “RAW is involved in the suicide attack,” referring to India’s Research & Analysis Wing (RAW) intelligence agency. However, he did not provide any details or evidence to support these claims.
India’s foreign ministry and a government spokesperson have not responded to requests for comment on the allegations.
The death toll rose due to seven more people dying in the hospital since Friday, according to Wasim Baig, the spokesman for Balochistan’s health department. He also mentioned that critical patients remain in the hospital.
In a separate attack on Friday, at least 5 people were killed at a mosque in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police have filed a report to launch an investigation and have sent DNA from the suicide bomber for analysis.
No group has claimed responsibility for either attack. These recent militant attacks in Pakistan’s western provinces have raised concerns about election preparations and public campaigning ahead of January’s national vote. However, until now, the attacks had mostly targeted security forces.
The Pakistani Taliban (TTP), known for their deadly attacks since their formation in 2007, have denied responsibility for Friday’s blasts.
The surge in violence has cast a shadow on the nation and efforts to maintain stability and security. The government has vowed to take strong action against the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Reporting by Saleem Ahmed in Quetta; Additional reporting by Saud Mehsud; Writing by Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Giles Elgood
Note: This article adheres to Thomson Reuters “Principles of Trust.”