The latest wave of violence in Balochistan unfolded on Monday evening when a suicide bomber targeted a Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP) rally in Quetta, killing at least fifteen people and injuring over thirty.

The incident occurred near Shahwani Stadium, shortly after the public gathering concluded, sparking widespread anger and grief across the province.

Health officials confirmed that five of the wounded later succumbed to their injuries, while several of the nearly thirty people still hospitalised remain in critical condition, with some being considered for transfer to Karachi for advanced medical treatment.

The Islamic State (IS) swiftly claimed responsibility for the attack, releasing a statement through its media channels in which it identified the bomber as “Ali al-Muhajir."

The group declared that the BNP’s politics rooted in nationalism and democratic participation were the reasons for the targeting, thus placing the assault squarely within the broader global and regional struggle between violent extremist ideologies and localised political movements seeking autonomy and representation.

This tragic incident was not an isolated occurrence for the BNP or its leadership. Earlier in March, party leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal narrowly survived a similar suicide bombing attempt during a protest sit-in at Mastung, underscoring the persistent threats facing Baloch political parties and their leaders. 

Following Monday’s attack, Mengal openly accused the state of negligence, claiming that his security detail had been withdrawn despite repeated warnings of imminent threats.

He also alleged that the rally itself encountered deliberate obstacles, including bureaucratic hurdles that suggested to the BNP leadership that elements within the government sought to restrict or undermine their political activities.

His allegations found resonance among party members and civil society groups, many of whom have long accused the state of systematically shrinking the democratic space within Balochistan for voices demanding greater rights, autonomy, or accountability.

The BNP responded by announcing three days of mourning, and shops in Mengal’s hometown of Wadh shut down in solidarity to honour the victims. Lawyers across the Makran region, including members of the High Court Bar Association, boycotted court proceedings as an act of protest against both the violence and the state’s perceived indifference.

Furthermore, other nationalist organisations such as the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and the Baloch National Movement (BNM) strongly condemned the bombing. The BNM, through its leader Naseem Baloch, described the attack as part of a systematic effort to silence Baloch political expression. 

He warned that the bombing sent a chilling message not only to separatists or insurgent factions but also to those entities participating within the parliamentary framework—signalling that even democratic activism is no longer safe in the province.

Meanwhile, government officials defended their position, insisting that adequate measures had been taken to secure the event. Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Hamza Shafqaat confirmed that 120 police personnel had been deployed to oversee the rally, and he emphasised that BNP was cautioned to wrap up its gathering earlier due to intelligence reports warning of possible attacks.

Shafqaat further announced the government’s decision to enforce stricter regulations in Balochistan going forward, which will include the banning of rallies, political gatherings, and mass meetings after evening prayers—a measure he claimed was intended to minimise security risks.

Despite these assurances, BNP leaders have categorically rejected the official stance, interpreting the government’s statements as an attempt to shirk accountability for failing to provide adequate protection, while simultaneously using the blast as a pretext to clamp down even further on democratic political activity within the province.

The Quetta suicide blast has thus not only resulted in immense human tragedy and loss but has also reignited the ongoing debate over political freedoms, state responsibility, and insurgent violence in Balochistan. Civil society groups, legal community members, and political activists are all demanding an independent and transparent investigation into not only the Quetta bombing but also previous attacks on political rallies in the region.

They argue that the pattern demonstrates both a failure of state security policies and what they perceive to be a broader strategy of silencing Baloch voices.

As public discontent rises, this attack is being seen as a watershed moment in the province, highlighting the shrinking space for non-violent, democratic politics in a region already wracked by insurgency, enforced disappearances, and mistrust between the state and its people.

Based On ANI Report