- Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Pakistan has claimed for a long time India’s backing for violent groups on its soil, something that New Delhi has denied.
By: Shubham Ghosh
THE death toll from a massive suicide blast at a mosque in Mastung district of the south-western Pakistani province of Balochistan on Friday (29) went up to 59 a day later and as the government vowed to find the perpetrators, it also alleged neighbouring India’s hand in the explosion.
The incident happened when a bomber detonated his explosives near a police vehicle at a time when people were assembling for a procession to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.
Pakistan has claimed for a long time India’s backing for violent groups on its soil, something that New Delhi has denied.
“Civil, military and all other institutions will jointly strike against the elements involved in the Mastung suicide bombing,” Pakistan’s interim interior minister Sarfaraz Bugti told media in Quetta, Balochistan’s capital, on Saturday (30).
“RAW is involved in the suicide attack,” he added, referring to Indian intelligence agency Research & Analysis Wing (RAW). He, however, did not provide details or evidence on India’s alleged involvement.
Currently, India is engaged in a diplomatic row with Canada over the latter’s allegation that Indian agents were involved in the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on its soil in June.
Wasim Baig, the spokesperson for Balochistan’s health department, said seven more people had succumbed to their injuries in hospital since Friday, raising the death toll, Reuters reported. He also added that the condition of more people was critical.
India did not issue any immediate reaction, Reuters added.
Friday saw another attack at a mosque in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that saw the death of at least five people. A probe was being undertaken into the incident.
No group has claimed responsibility for either attack.
The restive western provinces of Pakistan have seen a rise in militant attacks in the run-up to the national elections in January. It is currently under an interim administration following the conclusion of the tenure of its National Assembly in August.
