Suicide bomber targets BNP protest near Quetta; authorities confirm no loss of life
A suicide bomber has detonated explosives at LakPass near Quetta, away from a protest sit-in.
Police reported that the explosion did not result in any casualties.
Authorities are currently on the scene and have launched an investigation into the incident, said the official.
Aaj News Quetta Bureau Chief Mujeeb Ahmed reported, citing police sources, that Akhtar Mengal’s BNP and its allies were staging a sit-in near Lakpass and the suicide bomber was apparently trying to approach them but his suicide vest exploded in the hilly terrain before reaching the target.
The body parts of the bomber were scattered after the bombing and investigators were collecting them for forensic analysis to determine the identity of the bomber, said Mujeeb.
Lakpass is around 35 kilometers south of Quetta city.
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed that all participants of the protest, including BNP leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal, remained safe and unharmed. He said that the BNP’s entire political leadership is secure and that the provincial government has been in contact with BNP leadership since last night.
Rind added that a meeting between a BNP delegation and the local administration had taken place on Friday night, and it was agreed that a government delegation would meet Sardar Akhtar Mengal today to address the party’s concerns.
The Balochistan government has launched a full investigation into the incident and pledged to make the findings public soon. “The safety of Sardar Akhtar Mengal, other political leaders, and the public is the responsibility of the government,” Shahid Rind stated.
He further urged BNP supporters and the public to cooperate with the authorities and help improve the situation through dialogue. “The government is committed to ensuring peace and protecting all citizens,” he added.
The latest incident follows, a powerful explosion near Barech Market in Quetta which claimed the lives of three people and left 21 others injured, including four police officers on March 28.

Earlier this week, unknown assailants shot dead six people in Gwadar after removing them from a bus on March 27.
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