Monitoring Desk: A suicide bombing outside Shahwani Stadium in Quetta on Tuesday killed four persons and injured more than 30 people, while Sardar Akhtar Mengal remained unhurt as he was leaving the venue.
According to the Balochistan National Party (BNP), the blast occurred near the vehicle of the party chief. The provincial government has ordered a high-level inquiry and appealed to the public to avoid spreading rumours and to cooperate with investigators. Security forces have begun collecting evidence from the scene. Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act,” and directed hospitals to provide the best possible treatment to the injured.
The BNP held a public gathering in connection with the 4th death anniversary of Sardar Akhtar Mengal’s father, Attaullah Mengal, at Shahwani Stadium, Kechi Baig, Sariab Road, Quetta. Akhtar Mengal and Mahmood Khan Achakzai were among the prominent speakers at the gathering of around 3,000 attendees. Akhtar Mengal and Mahmood Achakzai left the meeting place at around 9:30 p.m., and as people were leaving the venue, a suicide bomber blew himself up at 9:45 p.m.
According to reports so far, four people have been killed and eight injured; more details are being collected.
Police circles in Quetta expressed doubts about the terrorist attack, claiming this was a planned operation because, as soon as Akhtar Mengal left the rally, the suicide bomber detonated himself, killing innocent people, while Akhtar Mengal was completely safe as he had already left the public gathering. A similar incident also took place during one of his rallies in Lak Pass on March 30 this year.
Akhtar Mengal is known for his soft corner for BLA and TTP terrorists and has never condemned BLA and TTP attacks on non-Balochi residents, calling the terror attacks the political struggle of the Balochs.
His political opponents claimed that it was actually a failed attempt by Akhtar Mengal to revive himself politically, as the people of Balochistan have completely rejected this self-serving chieftain. They argue that he wants to achieve his political goals by resorting to such heinous tactics.
