At least 52 people were killed and more than 50 were injured, including a police officer as a result of an explosion near a mosque in Pakistan's Balochistan province, local media reported on Friday.
This was the district's second significant blast in the month of September.
According to a representative, the explosion happened close to the mosque where people had gathered to celebrate Eid Miladun Nabi.
The Deputy Commissioner of Mastung, Atta Ul Munim, says the explosion, which appears to be "massive," occurred near the Madina Mosque. He added that the community was forced to march in a procession in the aftermath.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Nawaz Gishkori, whose car was supposed to remain outside the procession, was hit by the blast, according to the Mastung AC. Meanwhile, SHO Lehri claimed that the incident was a "suicide attack".
Shortly after the explosion, unverified pictures and videos emerged, revealing a distressing scene of wounded bodies and scattered severed limbs. Stunned observers carefully assessed the extent of the damage as they tried to make sense of the horrific aftermath.
Interim Balochistan Information Minister Jan Achakzai said rescue teams had been sent to Mastung. He also said that a state of emergency had been declared in all hospitals and that the seriously injured were being taken to Quetta.
"The enemy wants to destroy religious tolerance and peace in Balochistan with foreign blessings," Achakzai said. He continued, "The explosion is unbearable."
The information minister added that interim Chief Minister Ali Mardan Domki had ordered officials to arrest those responsible for the blast.
Punjab police also reported that "hardworking officers" were providing security for Friday prayers at mosques across the province shortly after the blast.
The Karachi police have received orders from Additional Inspector General Khadim Husain Rind to stay "constantly on high alert" following the Mastung blast.
He reportedly ordered the police to increase security during Friday prayers and Eid-i-Miladun Nabi processions in the city, and to keep an eye out for any unusual behavior.
Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti, the interim interior minister, vehemently condemned the blast and expressed grief over the loss of life on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The leader of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan (JUP), Shah Owais Noorani, expressed profound sadness upon discovering the tragic loss of life and injuries, sharing his heartfelt condolences on X, formerly referred to as Twitter.
Shah Owais Noorani, a former special assistant to the prime minister in the previous government, sincerely apologized for the tragic incident and condemned the despicable culprits responsible for the blast as nothing short of ""wretched beasts."