50 killed in suicide attack during Eid-ul-Mawlid celebration in Pakistan

A suicide bomb blast has killed no fewer than 50 people in Pakistan.

The blast happened near a mosque in the southwestern province of Balochistan on Friday.

The attack which also injured over 50 persons, occurred as Muslims gathered to celebrate the Eid-ul-Mawlid — a commemoration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Although no group has claimed responsibility for the blast, it comes amid a surge in attacks by militant groups in western Pakistan as the national elections scheduled for January next year draw near.

The Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also distanced itself from the attack.

The TTP is a close ally of the Afghan Taliban, which seized power in neighbouring Afghanistan in August 2021.

“The bomber detonated himself near the vehicle of the Deputy Superintendent of Police,” Reuters quoted Munir Ahmed, deputy inspector general of police, as saying.

Abdul Rasheed, a district health official, said the toll could rise as many people were in a serious condition, Reuters added.

Authorities have declared a state of emergency.