Sardar Akhtar Mengal, leader of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), remained unharmed on Saturday after a suicide bomber blew himself up near the party’s protest rally in Mastung.
The BNP-M had launched a long march from Wadh on Friday to protest the arrests of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) organiser Dr Mahrang Baloch and other activists, as well as police crackdowns on sit-ins across Balochistan.
On Friday night, the march faced major obstacles as Pakistani authorities blocked roads with shipping containers and fired tear gas at protesters attempting to reach Quetta.
Related: BNP’s Long March Faces Shelling, Mass Arrests Near Quetta
Mengal said more than 250 party workers were arrested at the Lakpass Tunnel on the outskirts of Quetta.
“With deep concern and anger, we confirm that state forces carried out shelling on BNP leaders and workers at Lakpass… and more than 250 workers were unjustifiably arrested,” he posted on social media platform X.
He added that the protesters would camp overnight at Lakpass and decide the next course of action in the morning.
Suicide Blast Near Sit-in Foiled
On Saturday afternoon, a suicide bomber attempted to target the BNP sit-in at Lakpass but was intercepted by Mengal’s personal security team. According to witnesses, when the security team moved to search the suspicious individual, he attempted to flee but fell to the ground.
“The suicide bomber pressed the button, but it didn’t work. Then, a few moments later, the explosion occurred,” said a young man who chased the attacker.
The blast killed the attacker on the spot. Two individuals who were pursuing him were injured in the explosion, while other sit-in participants, including Sardar Akhtar Mengal, remained unharmed.
“My security guards stopped a suspicious individual from entering the gathering,” Mengal said. “The man opened fire and then blew himself up in a ditch nearby.”
“We have no threat from any group. If we have any threat, it is from the state,” Mengal said.
BNP Senior Vice President Advocate Sajid Tareen said the attacker had tried to enter the main gathering area where speeches were underway but was intercepted by Mengal’s security team.
‘Release the Women, and We Will Return’
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed there were no fatalities in the explosion.
“According to reports, there has been no loss of life. Sardar Akhtar Mengal and the entire BNP-M leadership are safe,” he said.
Rind added that an investigation into the “alleged suicide blast” was underway and that the public would be informed of the findings. He also noted that a government delegation had been in contact with the BNP-M and had agreed to meet Mengal.
However, Mengal criticised the absence of law enforcement and rescue services after the attack.
“It is concerning that no officials from the district administration, police, or paramilitary arrived at Lakpass to investigate the suspected suicide bombing,” he said. “This attack was meant to intimidate participants into abandoning the march to Quetta.”
In response to the government’s offer of dialogue, Mengal reiterated that no negotiations would take place unless all detained women activists were released.
“Our answer is that the middle way is the release of women,” he said.
“Release the arrested women, and we will return. I am ready to give my arrest in return for the release of women.”
“This attack was meant to scare us into abandoning our protest. But our resolve remains unshaken,” he said.
“We will continue this peaceful struggle until our demands are met.”
‘Suicide Attack on Mengal Part of State Policy,’ Says Sabiha Baloch
Meanwhile, Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Dr. Sabiha Baloch condemned the suspected suicide attack near the BNP-M long march, calling it “part of the state’s policy” to silence Baloch voices demanding national rights.
“The essence of the state’s policy is this: ‘We value Balochistan and its resources, but not the Baloch people,’” she said.
Dr. Baloch argued that the Pakistani state seeks to eliminate Baloch leaders and activists in order to tighten its control over the region’s natural wealth and land.
She urged the Baloch people to remain united and reject division, stating that only a collective resistance could confront what she described as “state-driven brutality and repression.”
“There is no other way forward except a united struggle,” she added.