Quetta: Siraj Raisani, the candidate of Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) from PB-35, killed in a suicide blast along with 128 people in Dringarh area of district Mastung, on Friday afternoon.
A suicide bomber targeted the political gathering of Siraj Raisani which was attended by more than 200 people in Dringarh area which is located 50 KM in Southwest of Quetta.
128 people were killed and more than 150 were injured in the attack, According to Home Minister Balochistan Agha Umer Bangulzai.
With heavy heart, I can confirm till now 128 martyred and 122 injured in #MastungBlast. Suicide bomber loaded with 8 Kg explosives material caused this much devastation. #Balochistan
— Agha Umer Bangalzai (@AghaBangalzai) July 13, 2018
However, unofficial sources claim that the death toll is 197 and more than 200 people are injured.
ISIS claimed responsibility for suicide attack on Siraj Raisani. Amar news agency of ISIS released the picture of the suicide bomber “Abu Bakar al Bakistani” who purportedly carried out the attack.
ISIS released photo of Abu Bakar Al Bakistani, the suicide bomber of #Mastung blast targeting Siraj Raisani. pic.twitter.com/l1XtGUNWj9
— Adnan Aamir (@iAdnanAamir) July 13, 2018
Dozens of ambulances moved back and forth all evening between Quetta and Dringarh to transport the dead and wounded people to Quetta city hospitals.
According to Aslam Tareen, Director Civil Defence, 8-10 KG of high explosives were used in a suicide jacket reinforced with ball bearings which targeted the political gathering in Dringarh.
Siraj Raisani was contesting elections in PB-35 against his elder brother Nawab Aslam Raisani, former Chief Minister of Balochistan amongst others. Siraj Raisani had merged his political party Balochistan Mutahida Mahaz (BMM) with Balochistan Awami Party last month.
In 2011 Siraj Raisani survived an assassination attempt in Mastung district which resulted in the death of his teenage son Hakmal Raisani.
This was the third attack on electoral activities in Balochistan in last 48 hours. Earlier, Balochistan Awami Party office in Khuzdar was targeted in bomb blast wounding 2 people and PTI corner meeting was also targeted in a bomb blast in Hub which also injured two people.
Attacks in Hub and Khuzdar were claimed by Baloch insurgent groups.
Balochistan Awami Party postponed its political gathering which was scheduled to take place in Quetta on 14th July and announced a three-day mourning.
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