Suicide Bombing Kills 15 at Balochistan Political Rally

A suicide bombing outside a stadium in Quetta, Pakistan, killed at least 15 people and injured dozens during a rally commemorating the death anniversary of Sardar Ataullah Mengal, a former chief minister and founder of the Balochistan National Party (BNP). The bomber detonated his explosives shortly after the rally ended, targeting supporters of BNP chief Akhtar Mengal, who escaped unharmed. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack. The incident occurred amid heightened security, but the attacker was unable to reach the main venue. Pakistani officials, including Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, strongly condemned the blast, vowing to pursue the perpetrators and continue the fight against terrorism. Human rights organizations called for impartial investigations and expressed concerns about broader political violence and alleged state-sponsored repression in Balochistan.