What Happened in Quetta? Blast at BNP Rally Claims 14 Lives
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Synopsis
A tragic explosion at a BNP rally in Quetta has left 14 dead and many injured. Human rights groups are calling for an investigation, citing state-sponsored violence against the Baloch community. What does this mean for political stability in the region?
Key Takeaways
- The blast occurred at a BNP rally in Quetta, resulting in 14 deaths.
- Akhtar Mengal, the BNP chief, escaped unharmed.
- Human rights organizations have called for an investigation.
- The attack is perceived as part of a larger political repression against the Baloch community.
- Calls for dialogue and restoration of rights have been emphasized.
Quetta, Sep 3 (NationPress) A devastating explosion at a public rally of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) in Quetta resulted in the deaths of at least 14 individuals and injuries to 35 others, as reported by local media.
Health officials at Civil Hospital Quetta confirmed the casualties.
The blast occurred near the Shahwani Stadium on Tuesday evening, shortly after the event commemorating the fourth death anniversary of BNP founder Sardar Attaullah Mengal concluded.
According to law enforcement officials, the explosion happened close to the venue soon after the gathering ended, with initial reports suggesting it may have targeted the convoy of BNP chief Akhtar Mengal, who thankfully emerged unscathed, as reported by the Express Tribune.
Following the incident, Mengal expressed his gratitude on social media, stating, “Thank you for your prayers and messages. I am safe, but deeply heartbroken at the loss of our workers. Around 15 have been martyred and many injured. They stood by me and gave their lives for our cause. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten”.
Numerous human rights organizations condemned the brutal attack on the BNP political rally on Wednesday.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) denounced the attack, which resulted in significant casualties, and called for an immediate and impartial investigation into the incident.
“We demand an immediate and impartial inquiry into the incident and reiterate our call for restoring law and order in the province, alongside initiating a constructive dialogue among all stakeholders to achieve genuine political representation and the protection of rights, beginning with the right to life,” read an HRCP statement.
The Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department, Paank, characterized the horrific attack as state-sponsored and part of a broader genocidal strategy aimed at silencing the Baloch community.
“We believe such attacks are state-sponsored and part of a broader genocidal policy aimed at silencing the Baloch people and diverting attention from their legitimate demands,” stated Paank.
Another rights group, Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ), condemned the deadly assault as a continuation of the Pakistani government’s repression, aiming to undermine peaceful political activities with support from Pakistan-backed death squads and the Islamic State-Khorasan province (ISKP), an offshoot of ISIS.
BJV noted that ISIS had previously threatened to target Baloch nationalist leaders, particularly Sardar Akhtar Mengal and Mahrang Baloch, emphasizing that the recent attack was consistent with this troubling trend.
The rights organization asserted that “targeting peaceful political activists and human rights leaders with bomb blasts is the worst form of ‘state terrorism’ and a blatant violation of human rights.”
The BVJ further stated that such attacks represent “systematic attempts to silence democratic voices in Balochistan and suppress political struggles, which cannot be accepted under any circumstances.”
Point of View
We stand firmly with the victims of this senseless violence in Quetta. The call for justice and accountability must be heeded to ensure the protection of democratic voices, particularly in regions like Balochistan where such attacks threaten stability and human rights.
NationPress
03/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people were affected by the blast?
At least 14 people were killed and 35 others injured in the blast at the BNP rally in Quetta.
What was the cause of the explosion?
Initial reports suggest the explosion may have targeted the convoy of BNP chief Akhtar Mengal, occurring shortly after the rally concluded.
What do human rights organizations say about the attack?
Human rights organizations have condemned the attack and called for an immediate, impartial investigation, citing it as part of a broader pattern of violence against the Baloch community.
What is the stance of the Baloch National Movement on this incident?
The Baloch National Movement described the attack as state-sponsored and part of a genocidal strategy aimed at silencing the Baloch people.
What actions have been called for in response to the attack?
There have been calls for an immediate inquiry into the incident, restoration of law and order, and a dialogue among all stakeholders.
