Senior journalist Nusrat Javeed has claimed on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, "The self-declared ‘Islamic State of Pakistan (ISPP)’ has taken responsibility for the attack on JUI-F leader Hafiz Hamdullah that took place in Mastung today. But we, the so-called mainstream media, fail to focus on the long-term implications of this attack."
A bomb targeting the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazal) JUI-F party's vehicle in Mastung, some 50 kilometers from Quetta, on Thursday, left at least 11 people hurt, including the party's leader Hafiz Hamdullah.
In order to address a public gathering, Hamdullah traveled from Quetta to the Killi Chotu region, a community on the outskirts of Mastung, when the blast occurred, according to officials. His vehicle was badly damaged by the explosion.
According to police sources, the explosive device was placed on the side of the road with Hamdullah in mind. The explosive was directed at Hamdullah's vehicle, according to JUI-F senator Maulana Ghafoor Haideri.
According to a senior police official in Mastung, "We are investigating the incident based on the evidence collected by the bomb disposal squad."
He said that initial findings showed that the explosion was controlled remotely since it took place just as Hamdullah's vehicle arrived at the scene. Due to the discovery of motorcycle parts at the scene, it is possible that the explosive device was planted inside a motorcycle.
The injured were taken to the Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital along with other party leaders, security personnel, and a woman.
After receiving initial treatment, Hamdullah and a few other JUI-F leaders were transferred to Civil Hospital Quetta, a hospital spokesperson said.
According to a hospital spokesperson, Hamdullah's condition was stable, but he was still receiving treatment. Three of the injured individuals, however, were in critical condition.
Apart from Hamdullah, eight of the injured were identified, including Muhammad Yousaf, Qudratullah, Hafiz Rahim Bakhsh, Muhammad Aamir, Muhammad Yousaf, Haji Ahmed, Abdul Qadir, and Haleema.