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6 killed in attack on pro-Palestine rally in southwest Pakistan

May 21, 2021 at 7:25 pm

Demonstrators in Pakistan protest against Israel’s attacks on Gaza on 21 May 2021 [BANARAS KHAN/AFP/Getty Images]

At least six people were killed and several others injured in a bomb blast at a pro-Palestine rally today in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, officials said, Anadolu Agency reports.

The blast occurred at a busy street in Chaman district, which borders neighbouring Afghanistan, Liaquat Shahwani, a spokesman for the Balochistan government, told Anadolu Agency.

The blast occurred near the vehicle of Abdul Qadir Loni, the provincial head of the country’s mainstream religious party, Jamiat Ulema Islam, who was leading the rally. Loni also suffered minor injuries.

The bomb was planted in a motorbike parked along the route of the rally, Shahwani said. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Footage aired on television channels showed damaged vehicles, shards of glass and blood-soaked shoes and caps scattered around the site.

Pakistan is observing Palestine solidarity day in support of Palestinians. Officials and activists have organized rallies and demonstrations since Israel’s latest escalation on Gaza, which killed at least 243 Palestinians, including women and children. A cease-fire was reached late Thursday.

READ: Israel: economic losses during Gaza bombing campaign hit $2.14bn