Death toll rises to 15, over 72 injured in BNP rally attack in Quetta
The death toll from the BNP rally attack in Quetta has climbed to 15 while more than 72 others sustained injuries after a deadly blast ripped through the city late Tuesday evening. Officials confirmed that at least 23 of the injured remain in critical condition as they undergo treatment in local hospitals.
The explosion occurred nearly 45 minutes after the Balochistan National Party (BNP) rally at Shahwani Stadium had concluded, striking about 500 meters away from the main venue. The gathering, attended by a large number of party supporters, had ended when the blast shook the area, sending panic across the city.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti announced financial compensation for victims, pledging Rs1.5 million for each life lost, Rs500,000 for those severely injured, and Rs200,000 for those who sustained minor injuries. Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Balochistan Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat said that 112 security personnel had been deployed for the rally and that BNP organizers had been advised to wrap up the event earlier. He warned that “enemy elements want to destabilize Pakistan after their defeat in Marka-e-Haq,” pointing out that nearly 22 active threat alerts are currently in place across the province.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, calling it “damning evidence of a nefarious conspiracy by terrorists to spread chaos in Balochistan.” He expressed solidarity with the victims’ families and directed that the injured receive the best possible treatment.
Law enforcement agencies have sealed off the blast site and launched investigations to determine those behind the attack. Analysts say that political gatherings in Balochistan have long been a target for militants, with Quetta often bearing the brunt due to its sensitive security environment.
The BNP rally attack in Quetta adds to a troubling pattern of violence in the province, raising fresh concerns about the safety of political activities as well as the resilience of Pakistan’s counter-terror measures. For now, families of the victims mourn their loss as the city awaits justice and accountability.
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