Muslims celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed today. In Pakistan, believers were the target of two attacks – more than 50 people were killed and many injured.
More than 50 people have been killed in a suicide attack in southwest Pakistan. According to police, a bomb was detonated near a mosque in Mastung. At the time, around 500 believers were celebrating the birthday of the Islamic prophet Mohammed. Numerous injured people were taken to hospitals, some were in critical condition. A senior police officer was also among the dead.
Acting Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti spoke of a “heinous act” and expressed his condolences. Muslims around the world celebrate the Prophet’s birthday with public gatherings. The festival day is known as “Maulid an-Nabi”. For example, Muslims distribute free meals there.
Another explosion causes mosque roof to collapse
The second attack also targeted believers in a mosque – it took place in northwest Pakistan in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. At least five people were killed when the roof of a mosque collapsed following an explosion, trapping dozens beneath the rubble.
Authorities had previously warned of terror
The authorities in Pakistan had previously called on the police to be on alert because militant groups could attack events. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the crime. The Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), quickly distanced itself.
The terrorist group “Islamic State” had claimed responsibility for previous deadly attacks in Balochistan. But the region, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, has also long struggled with an insurgency by the Balochistan Liberation Army and other small separatist groups demanding independence from the central government in Islamabad.