Pakistan: Suicide bombing kills 15 near political rally in Quetta

At least 15 people were killed and more than 30 others wounded in a suicide bombing outside a political rally in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

The blast occurred late Tuesday in the parking area of a stadium in Quetta, where hundreds of supporters of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) had gathered for a rally.

Provincial officials said the attacker was unable to enter the main venue due to strict security measures.

“The damage would have been much greater if the blast had happened at the venue,” government official Hamza Shafqaat told reporters, noting that 120 police personnel had been deployed to secure the event.

Balochistan’s health minister, Bakht Muhammad Kakar, told local broadcaster Geo News that the suicide bomber detonated explosives after being stopped outside.

The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the attack, which underscores the persistent threat posed by extremist networks in the region.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest and poorest province, shares borders with Afghanistan and Iran. It has long faced violence from both separatist movements and militant groups, including the Islamic State, which has staged multiple deadly attacks targeting civilians, political gatherings, and security forces.

Authorities said investigations were underway and security in Quetta had been further tightened to prevent additional attacks.