Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakthunkhwa hit by suicide blasts, leaving over 56 dead and many injured.

NEW DELHI: At least 56 people were killed and scores injured as multiple bombings rocked Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces during Friday’s prayers.

★The first blast took place in the restive Balochistan province where a suicide bomber targeted a crowded mosque during the celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. The explosion left at least 52 people dead and dozens injured.

★Hours later, two back-to-back blasts were reported from the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu city, in which at least four people were killed and five others injured.

Balochistan suicide bombing:
★In southwestern Balochistan, officials said a suicide bomber detonated a device as rallies from neighbourhood mosques converged on a meeting point in Mastung, around 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of the provincial capital, Quetta.
★The blast occurred near Madina Mosque on Al Falah. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. Mastung’s Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Nawaz Gashkori, who was on duty for the rally, was among the deceased.
★The explosion took place when people were gathering to mark Eid Miladun Nabi, the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad. City Station House Officer (SHO) Mohammad Javed Lehri said the explosion was a “suicide blast” and that the bomber exploded himself next to DSP’s car. The bomb attack came a day after the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) killed a key Islamic State (ISIS) commander in the Mastung district.

Twin bombings in Khyber Pakthunkhwa:
★In Khyber Pakthunkhwa, the suspected suicide bombings took place at a police station in the Hangu district. The first blast took place at the entrance of a police station after which a number of people gathered at the site. Moments later, another blast occurred inside a mosque situated in the premises of the police station.
★The blast occurred during the Juma prayer. Around 30 to 40 worshippers were present in the mosque at the time of the explosion. Police said they believed it to be a suicide blast. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the second attack either.

With inputs from agencies.

Watch Suicide blast in Pakistan: Over 50 people dead as suicide bomber explodes himself at a mosque in Balochistan.