Car bomb kills 10 outside mosque in southwestern Pakistan

QUETTA, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) — A car bomb exploded outside a Shite mosque in southwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, killing at least 10 people and injuring nearly two dozen others, officials said.

The attack happened as worshipers were returning home from Eid al-Fitr prayers at a mosque in the Murriabad area of Quetta, the largest city and the provincial capital of Balochistan Province, Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Ahsan Mahboob told the Express Tribune.

Mahboob told the media outlet that the incident was a suicide attack although Interior Secretary Naseebullah Bazai had previously stated that it had not been confirmed, as the explosives could have been planted inside the vehicle.

According to Mahboob, around 40 kilograms (88 pounds) of explosive materials were used to construct the bomb, which killed 10 people and injured 22 others. In addition, 10 cars were destroyed along with several houses in the vicinity of the explosion.

Emergency teams rushed to the scene and shifted the wounded to the Civil Hospital and Bolan Medical College for treatment, while others were taken to the Provincial Sandeman Hospital through private vehicles. Authorities said the death toll could still rise as several injured were reported to be in a critical condition.

As local authorities carry out ongoing investigations, officials have not ruled out the incident being a sectarian attack. Meanwhile, the Shite community gathered at the scene of the blast to protest against government officials and calling for seven days of mourning.

On August 19, a total of 53 people were killed when a teenage suicide bomber blew himself up inside the Mandokhel mosque in the Ghondi area of Jamrud, which is located in the volatile Khyber Agency. In addition to the fatalities, around 120 people were injured.