Scores killed in two separate blasts targeting mosques in Pakistan

At least 52 people have been killed and more than 80 people injured in an explosion in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan, according to local officials.

The blast took place near a mosque in Mastung city on Friday as people were gathering to celebrate the birthday anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him), local assistant commissioner Attahul Munim told local media.

Mastung’s deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Nawaz Gashkori, who was present in the rally, was also killed.

Other officials said the explosion was a “suicide blast” and that the bomber exploded himself next to DSP’s car. They said the wounded were being shifted to hospitals and medical facilities.

The death toll is expected to rise as some of the injured are in critical condition.

Hours after the blast in Balochistan province, another blast ripped through a mosque in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province which also borders Afghanistan, killing at least two people.

The mosque’s roof collapsed in the blast, leaving about 30 to 40 people trapped under the rubble, local broadcaster Geo News reported.