Suicide bombing in Pakistan mosque kills at least 15
Muslim worshippers were targeted during Friday evening prayer
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The death toll from a suicide bombing at a mosque in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta rose to 15 on Saturday, officials said.
The blast during Friday evening prayers wounded at least 20 other people, police said.
“Two of the wounded people died overnight in the hospital,” said provincial home minister Zia Langove, adding that six people were still in a critical condition.
Islamic State claimed its suicide bomber carried out the attack to target an Afghan Taliban seminary.
“The US condemns this heinous terrorist attack in a place of worship,” Paul Jones, the US ambassador to Pakistan, said in a statement. “I extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.”
Mineral and gas-rich Baluchistan, of which Quetta is the capital, is at the centre of the $60bn (£46bn) China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, part of China's Belt and Road project.
But violence in the province has fuelled concerns about the security of projects such as a planned energy link from western China to Pakistan's southern port of Gwadar.
The attack was the second in the city this week, while police said they had foiled another by killing a suicide attacker in Rawalpindi city near Islamabad after he shot and killed two policemen.
The Taliban denied in a statement that some of its members, including a senior commander, were killed.
Local officials in Quetta's police and district administration would not confirm whether the Dar-ul-Aloom Shariah seminary belonged to the Afghan Taliban under a state policy which denies the presence of the group on its soil.
However, two officials said on condition of anonymity that the seminary was part of the Afghan Taliban.
Baluchistan has faced an insurgency by separatist and nationalist groups who want a greater share in revenues earned from the local resources.
Islamist militants, including Islamic State which consists of splinters from local Taliban and sectarian groups, also have a strong presence in the region.
Reuters
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments