13 killed in bomb attack on BNP rally

QUETTA: A bomb blast killed at least 13 people at a Balochistan National Party (BNP) rally in Shahwani Stadium, here on Tuesday, officials said.

Government official Hamza Shafaat said the rally was held to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Sardar Ataullah Mengal, a nationalist leader and former Balochistan chief minister.

His son Sardar Akhtar Mengal, who was in attendance, is safe, Shafaat said, adding that another 30 people were injured.

“The reports we have say that the bomb went off in a parking area as the people were leaving the rally,” he said. Police were investigating the blast, which appeared to be a suicide bombing, police official Athar Rasheed said. No one has claimed responsibility.