Death toll reaches 60, as another Mastung blast victim succumbs to injuries

• Deceased was receiving treatment in Quetta's Civil Hospital.
• Increase in death toll was feared owing to severity of injuries.
• 43 people had died on the spot in suicide attack.

The death toll from the Mastung suicide attack has risen to 60 on Sunday, with the tragic passing of another injured victim.

Muhammad Rafiq, who had been receiving medical care at the Civil Hospital Trauma Center in Quetta, succumbed to his injuries today.

The ghastly attack, which marked the second major explosion in the district in September, was carried out by terrorists near a mosque where 43 people lost their lives instantly while preparing for a celebratory procession in honour of Eid Miladun Nabi on Friday.

Mastung's Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Nawaz Gashkori was also among the deceased. Balochistan police chief said that the cop tried to stop the suicide bomber upon suspicion when the latter blew himself up. He said that three police constables were also among the injured.

The death toll from the barbaric suicide blast, which rocked the Balochistan district, was reported to have increased to 59 a day earlier after seven injured people breathed their last after being severely wounded, the Civil Hospital administration told Geo News.

In a statement, the spokesperson said 52 deaths were recorded in the Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Memorial Hospital, six in the civil hospital, and one in the BMC Complex. At least 58 people were injured in the attack.

"My feet trembled and I was thrown to the ground," said 49-year-old Hazoor Bakhsh.

"As the dust settled, I saw people scattered in all directions, some screaming while others called out for help."

Hours after the blast in Balochistan, a second attack took place at a mosque in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Hangu city and claimed the lives of five people — including a policeman — and injured 12.

The incident took place within the parametres of Police Station Doaba during the Friday sermon — a time when scores of believers are gathered at a mosque for their weekly prayer.

Interim Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said earlier today that the Indian intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), is involved in carrying out terror incidents in Pakistan.

Bugti, in a press conference in Quetta, said that the authorities knew who was involved in these activities and would avenge every drop of blood of Pakistanis.

"We know who is doing it and from where," Bugti maintained, vowing to utilise all state resources against militants.