At least five people lost their lives, and ten others sustained serious injuries in an explosion in the main bazaar of Naal town, located in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district, on Wednesday.
According to police reports, the explosion targeted the vehicle of Abdul Samad Samalani, a pro-government tribal elder. The device, believed to be a planted explosive, was remotely detonated as the vehicle passed through the crowded area.
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While Abdul Samad Samalani sustained injuries, three of his companions died instantly when the vehicle caught fire after the explosion. Two more later succumbed to their injuries. The blast reportedly took place near a welding shop in the busy marketplace. Police and security forces responded swiftly, cordoning off the site and transporting the injured and deceased to Khuzdar District Hospital.
A senior officer from Bahawal Khan Police Station revealed the absence of fire brigade services at the time of the incident, which allowed the fire to spread quickly and claim five lives. Deputy Commissioner Khuzdar Yasir Dashti confirmed that three individuals died in the vehicle fire, while two of the seriously injured victims passed away later in the hospital.
Law enforcement agencies gathered evidence from the scene and are investigating the cause of the explosion. Officials suspect the blast was likely an assassination attempt against Abdul Samad Samalani, who is currently receiving medical treatment.
The deceased have been identified as Munir Ahmed Samalani, Abdullah Sarmastani, Nadir Khan Garganari, and Masood Ahmed. The injured include Salal, Irfan, Abdul Samad Samalani, Arsalan, Muhammad Ashraf, Meharullah, Abdul Razzak Qambrani, Saadullah, Walid, and Muhammad Ramzan.
