Section 144 imposed in Quetta after deadly suicide blast claims 15 lives

QUETTA: A suicide bombing near Shahwani Stadium in Quetta’s Sariab area killed 15 people and injured more than 30 late Tuesday, shortly after a public gathering organised by the Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal) concluded. Balochistan’s Additional Chief Secretary (Home) said the blast took place around 9 p.m., well after the rally ended at 3 p.m., preventing what could have been large-scale devastation. Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat said that strict security arrangements were in place and that Quetta currently faces 22 active terror threats.

He added that terrorist groups are operating under various names in the province to destabilize peace. Compensation for victims has been announced being PKR 1.5 million for each martyr’s family, PKR 500,000 for the critically injured, and PKR 200,000 for those with minor injuries. Section 144 has been imposed in Quetta, and security will remain on high alert for the next month. Shafqaat stressed that external forces are trying to create instability in Pakistan following recent successes against militants.

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has also registered a case over the Sariab Shahwani Stadium blast, including charges of murder, attempted murder, and terrorism. Officials confirmed that the attacker’s body parts have been sent to a laboratory for forensic analysis to aid the investigation.

BNP leader and Member of National Assembly Sardar Akhtar Mengal, who led the event held to mark the death anniversary of Sardar Attaullah Mengal, left the site shortly before the explosion and was not injured. Other political figures present, including Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Awami National Party’s (ANP) Asghar Khan Achakzai, and former senator Mir Kabeer Muhammad Shai also remained safe.

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Former BNP MPA Mir Ahmed Nawaz Baloch and the party’s labour secretary Musa Jan were among those injured, along with several BNP supporters.

Police said the explosion occurred in the parking area around 15 minutes after the meeting ended, targeting those dispersing from the venue. Officials confirmed that the incident was a suicide attack. The attacker detonated an explosive device strapped to his body.

Dr Wasim Baig at the Civil Hospital confirmed that 13 bodies and 35 injured individuals were brought in, with several in serious condition. However, Balochistan’s Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Hamza Shafqaat put the initial death toll at 11, warning that the number could increase.

Six vehicles were damaged, including bulletproof cars used by political leaders. Mir Kabeer Muhammad Shai was inside one of these vehicles at the time and escaped unhurt. The Balochistan Home Department said that a high-level investigation is underway. Evidence has been collected from the site, and medical treatment is being provided to the injured.

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Those killed in the blast have been identified as Muhammad Ishaq, Najeebullah, Shan, Muhammad Hanif, Madad Khan, Waqir Ahmed, Hafeez, Abdul Nabi, Nasarullah, Allah Bakhsh, Najeebullah (son of Asadullah), another Allah Bakhsh, and Muhammad Waqar.

In a statement on social media platform X, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the attack and vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice. He expressed condolences to Akhtar Mengal and party workers, and offered prayers for those killed.

In response to the incident, the Balochistan Bar Council has also announced a boycott of court proceedings across the province. The Council criticised the ongoing violence and urged political actors to prioritise unity over division.

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It called the attack a deliberate attempt to destabilise the province and blamed political inaction for allowing such acts to continue.