A suicide bombing occurred on the evening of September 26, 2023, outside a stadium in Quetta, Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of at least 13 people and injuring approximately 30 others. The attack happened as supporters of the Balochistan National Party were leaving a rally commemorating the anniversary of the death of the party’s founder, veteran nationalist leader Sardar Ataullah Mengal.
According to local police chief Majeed Qaisrani, the explosion took place near a graveyard adjacent to the stadium on the outskirts of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province. Investigators recovered body parts of the bomber at the scene. Waseem Baig, a spokesman for a government hospital, confirmed that the facility received 13 bodies and numerous wounded individuals, some of whom are in critical condition.
The rally, attended by many supporters, was significant for the Balochistan National Party. Its leader, Akhtar Mengal, was present but unharmed during the attack. Some of his supporters were among those killed and injured, as reported by senior police officer Usama Ameen.
In the aftermath of the bombing, Sarfraz Bugti, Chief Minister of Balochistan, condemned the act as a “cowardly act of the enemies of humanity.” He ordered immediate medical assistance for the injured and called for a high-level investigation to bring those responsible to justice.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, speaking in Islamabad, also denounced the bombing and asserted that it was the work of “India-backed terrorists and their facilitators.” He accused these groups of attempting to destabilize Pakistan by targeting civilians, although he did not provide evidence to support his claims. The Pakistani government has recently accused India of supporting both the Pakistani Taliban and Baloch separatists, allegations that New Delhi has consistently denied.
Balochistan has been the site of a long-standing insurgency, with groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) advocating for independence from the central government. While authorities maintain that the insurgency has been largely subdued, violence in the region persists. Notably, in July 2023, gunmen abducted and killed nine individuals after stopping passenger buses traveling on a highway between Quetta and Punjab province. Such attacks have often been attributed to the BLA.
The impact of the recent bombing extends beyond the immediate casualties. It raises concerns about the ongoing security challenges in Balochistan and reflects the broader instability that continues to affect the region. As investigations proceed, the call for accountability and security remains a pressing issue for the people of Balochistan.
