A long march of the Baluchistan National Party (BNP) Mengal, who travels from Wadh to Quetta, was beaten by a suicide bombing near Mastung on Saturday. However, BNP leader, Sardar Akhtar Mengal, and other participants remained unharmed.
The march, which began from the hometown of Mengal de Wadh, was organized to protest the arrests of the head of the Baluchistan Unity Committee (Byc) Dr. Mahrang Baloch and other leaders, as well as a police offensive against their ongoing sitting. However, Quetta’s authorities had denied BNP-Mengal permission to celebrate the demonstration.
The march, which included several political and motorcyclist parties, began around 9 am on Friday. BNP-Mengal then said that more than 250 of its workers were arrested by the police during their rally near Mastung. The party also reported dozens of injuries per police action, including the intensive use of tear gas and container road blocks.
On Saturday, at approximately 1 pm, reports emerged from an explosion near the rally. Sardar Akhtar Mengal confirmed through X (previously Twitter) that he and the members of his party were safe.
A Baluchistan government spokesman, Shahid Rind, assured the public that they had not been informed of casualties while emphasizing that the provincial government was responsible for guaranteeing the security of Mengal and other BNP leaders.
Rind also said that the explosion occurred near a sitting site, but no loss of lives was confirmed. He promised that the public would be informed about the findings of the investigation soon.
The provincial government had been in contact with BNP-Mengal leadership since the previous night, and a meeting with local authorities had been scheduled.
According to the assistant commissioner Akram Harifal, a suspicious individual was seen by Levis’s forces near Luk Pass and was contacted by security officers. When trying to flee, the individual detonated an explosive device, but fortunately, there were no low.
Harifal added that security measures were strengthened near the rally site, with additional Levis officers deployed.
In a speech for Mastung supporters, Sardar Akhtar Mengal said that four rally participants had been injured in the explosion while accused of being the true threat, stating: “We do not face any threat of any group, but of the state.”
He insisted that his protest would remain peaceful, despite the attempts to intensify the situation.
Mengal reiterated his demands for the liberation of leaders and supporters of the Baluchistan Unity Committee, emphasizing that the release of women’s detainees was a key condition for the decalciation of the protest. He also offered to surrender to the authorities in exchange for his release, declaring: “Release women, and we will return.”
BNP-Mengal claims arrests and violent confrontations
BNP-Mengal also said that more than 250 of its workers had been arrested by security forces during operations close to Luk Pass in Mastung. The party accused the police of shooting protesters, using tear gas and establishing obstacles with containers to stop their progress.
Mengal criticized the government for forcing people to protest, claiming that if the government had worked hard for the well -being of the province, the protests would not have been necessary.
In response to the ongoing protest, the Quetta administration warned that legal measures would be taken if the march will continue. Quetta’s deputy commissioner wrote a letter on Friday that rejected the request for approval of BNP-Mengal to enter Quetta.
The Carta remembered BNP-Mengal that the Department of Origin of Baluchistan had imposed a prohibition in all public meetings, including demonstrations, processions and seated, for three months from February 28.
The letter also mentioned that the Intelligence and Coordination Committee had decided that demonstrations or long marches would not be allowed within the Quetta jurisdiction due to the prevailing situation of the law and order. He also warned that any violation would result in the organizers being considered fully responsible for any interruption and face legal actions.
The provincial government said he was in contact with BNP-Mengal leadership and said they were committed to guaranteeing the safety of all participants in the long march.
The Government also emphasized that the situation would be monitored closely and more updates on the investigation into the bombing would be provided.
