Atleast 13 dead in suicide blast at Balochistan shrine

QUETTA: At least 13 people were killed and nearly 20 others injured on Thursday when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a Sufi shrine packed with devotees in Pakistan's troubled Balochistan province, police officials said.

The attacker tried to enter the Dargah Fatehpur in the Jhal Magsi district of Balochistan and blew himself up when he was stopped by the police at the main entrance, Deputy Commissioner Asadullah Kakar told the media.

Officials said at least 13 people were killed and nearly 20 others injured. At least one policeman was also killed.

A senior Levies official confirmed that so far 12 bodies have been recovered from the blast site. Rescue officials fear that the death toll could rise as the blast took place when there was a heavy rush of devotees who had gathered at the shrine to pay their respect. Thursdays are usually busy in terms of attendance at shrines.

Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti told the media that so far it appeared to be a suicide attack.

"Investigations are still continuing and the injured have been moved to the district headquarters hospital in Jhal Magsi," Bugti said.

Balochistan government spokesman Anwarul Haq Kakar confirmed that it was a suicide attack. Initial probe showed that the blast occurred when a sufi dance called dhamal was going in the premises of the shrine. agencies