At least six people were killed and 30 injured in an explosion near a mosque in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province on Friday, local media agency Dawn News reported.
The blast occurred as the public gathered for a procession to mark Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, Dawn News quoted a Mastung district official as saying.
Pakistan’s Interior Ministry confirmed an explosion caused by “terrorist elements.”
“The attack on innocent people who came to take part in the Mawlid festival procession is a heinous act,” the ministry said in a statement.
For his part, Balochistan Provincial Information Minister Jan Achakzai noted in a publication on X (formerly Twitter) that the number of victims is increasing, without giving further details.
The commemoration of the anniversary of the Prophet’s birth is accepted by the majority of Islamic movements, but some condemn it.