On September 29, 2023, at least 52 lives were lost, and dozens more were injured in a suicide bomb attack in Mastung, Pakistan, a district in the troubled southwestern province of Balochistan. The attack happened during a religious procession commemorating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, a revered occasion for Muslims around the world.
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The blast close to a mosque in Mastung was a shock to the world. The suicide bomber struck as hundreds of people gathered for the Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession, marking the Prophet Muhammad‘s birthday.
This holy occasion is celebrated with reverence by the majority of Islamic sects in Pakistan, making the attack even more heartbreaking.
According to Deputy Inspector General of Police Munir Ahmed, the bomber detonated himself near the vehicle of the Deputy Superintendent of Police, causing immense carnage.
While the festival of the Prophet’s birthday is generally accepted, certain denominations view it as an unwarranted innovation.
However, such differences in belief should never killed men, women, and children, further highlighting the need for Pakistan to address its security challenges effectively.
In the result of the Mastung blast, the Pakistani authorities swiftly responded. Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti rightly characterized the attack as a “very heinous act.” Urgent appeals for blood donations were made as hospitals struggled to treat the wounded.
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The death toll continued to rise as many victims remained in critical condition. Senior police officers and law enforcement officials were among the casualties, underlining the indiscriminate nature of the attack.
Despite the quick response, one critical question lingers: Who was responsible for this heinous act? No group claimed immediate responsibility for the attack.
The country has seen a resurgence of violence by Islamist militants since the breakdown of a ceasefire between the government and the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) last year.
The Pakistani Taliban, an umbrella group of various extremist organizations, has been responsible for some of the deadliest attacks in the country since its formation in 2007.
However, they quickly distanced themselves from the Mastung attack, leaving investigators to explore other possibilities.
One potential culprit is the regional chapter of the ISIS terror group known as ISIS-Khorasan, or ISIS-K. This group has recently done attacks in the region, and their association can’t be ruled out.
Baluchistan, Nation’s gas-rich southwestern province bordering Afghanistan and Iran, has been plagued by insurgency by Baloch nationalists for over two decades.
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While these separatists initially sought a share of the province’s resources, they later demanded independence. The volatile situation in Baluchistan provides fertile ground for extremist groups to operate.
One more viewpoint that raises concerns is the chance of coordination between various parts of ISIS in Pakistan.
Amir Rana, the director of the Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies, suggested that the Mastung attack might be the first instance of coordination between ISIS-Khorasan Province, primarily based in the Peshawar region, and ISIS Pakistan Province, centered in Baluchistan.
This would address a troubling improvement in Pakistan’s fight against terrorism. The Mastung blast is a grim reminder of the persistent security challenges faced by the nation.
Baluchistan, the country’s largest province, has frequently witnessed attacks by armed groups, including the TTP and ISIS. Despite efforts by the security forces, these militants continue to pose a threat to the province’s stability.
Moreover, the timing of the attack raises concerns about the upcoming national elections scheduled for January next year. The surge in attacks claimed by militant groups in western Pakistan in the lead-up to the elections is troubling.
It is imperative for Pakistan to ensure the safety and security of the electoral process, allowing citizens to exercise their democratic rights without fear.
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