The death toll from a major explosion at a mosque in Pakistan has risen to 59 as of Saturday, with the government pledging to apprehend those responsible and accusing an Indian intelligence agency of being involved. The explosion occurred on Friday in Mashtung, Balochistan province in the south of the country, when a bomber detonated himself near a police vehicle as people were gathering for a procession to commemorate the Prophet's birthday.
Pakistani officials have long claimed that India supports violent groups within their country, allegations that New Delhi has consistently denied. Sarfaraz Bugti, the Interior Minister of Balochistan, told the media in the provincial capital Quetta: "Civil, military, and all other institutions will jointly carry out an operation against the elements involved in the Mashtung suicide bombing." He added, "RAW is involved in the suicide attack," referring to the Research and Analysis Wing, one of India's intelligence agencies. No details or evidence of their involvement were provided.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the government spokesperson have yet to respond to requests for comments. Waseem Baig, a spokesperson for the health department in Balochistan, stated that seven more individuals had died in the hospital since Friday, raising the death toll. He added that several other injured individuals remain in critical condition.
