Bombing at a Political Rally in Pakistan (2025)

The 2025 Quetta political rally attack was a suicide bombing carried out on 2 September 2025 outside a rally organized by the Balochistan National Party in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province in southwestern Pakistan. At least 11 to 15 people were killed and more than 30 others were injured in the attack.

Explosion Site After the Quetta Political Rally Attack – (Anadolu Agency)

How the Attack Occurred

The explosion took place in a parking area near the Shahwani Stadium in Quetta, where the Balochistan National Party (BNP) had held its rally. Authorities stated that the attacker was unable to enter the rally grounds due to heightened security measures and therefore detonated the explosive device outside the stadium. It was reported that approximately eight kilograms of explosives were used and that the attacker was under 30 years of age.

Targeted Audience and Political Context

The rally was held in memory of the anniversary of the death of Ataullah Mengal, former chief minister of Balochistan and founder of the BNP. His son and party leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal escaped unharmed, but several party members were killed or injured in the attack.

Responsibility and Claims

Various sources have attributed responsibility for the attack to ISIS. However, some reports have not confirmed the identity of the perpetrators, and official authorities have considered multiple possibilities. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi suggested that India-backed groups were behind the attack, but provided no evidence to support this claim.

Reactions

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack as a “cowardly act by enemies of humanity” and ordered that the injured receive the best possible medical treatment. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also denounced the attack, describing it as evidence of a terrorist conspiracy aimed at creating chaos in Balochistan.