A long march of Balochistan National Party (GDP) Mengal, who traveled from WADH to Quetta, was hit by a suicide bomb near Mastung on Saturday. However, GDP leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal and other participants remained unmarried.

The march, which began from Mengal’s hometown Wadh, was organized to protest against the arrests of the Balochistan Unity Committee (BYC) Chief Organizer Dr. Mahrang Baloch and other leaders as well as a police crash on their ongoing sit-ins. However, Quetta authorities had denied GDP-Mengal permission to hold the rally.

The march, which included various political parties and motorcyclists, started around 1 p.m. 9 on Friday. GDP-Mengal later claimed that more than 250 of their workers were arrested by police under their rally near Mastung. The party also reported dozens of injuries from police action, including heavy use of tear gas and road blockades of containers.

Saturday, approx. at. 13, an explosion was reported near the rally. Sardar Akhtar Mengal confirmed via X (formerly Twitter) that he and his party members were safe.

A spokesman for the Balochistan government, Shahid Rind, assured the public that no loss had been reported while stressing that the provincial government was responsible for ensuring that Mengal and other GDP leaders were safe.

Rind further said the explosion took place near a sit-in-place, but no loss of life was confirmed. He promised that the public would soon be informed of the conclusions of the investigation.

The provincial government had been in contact with GDP-Mengal management since the previous night, and a meeting with local authorities was planned.

According to Assistant Commissioner Akram Harifal, a suspicious individual was discovered by Levis forces near Luke Pass and was contacted by security officers. When they tried to escape, the individual detonated an explosion device, but fortunately there was no loss.

Harifal added that security measures near the rally site were strengthened, with additional Levis officers inaugurated.

In a speech to supporters in Mastung, Sardar Akhtar Mengal claimed that four rally participants had been injured in the explosion while accusing the state of being the real threat, saying, “We are not facing any threat from any group but we do from the state.”

He insisted that their protest would remain peaceful despite attempts to escalate the situation.

Mengal repeated his demands for the release of leaders and supporters of Balochistan Unity Committee and emphasized that the release of women who were imprisoned was an important condition for the shell of protest. He also offered to surrender to the authorities in exchange for their release and said, “Release the women and we will return.”

GDP-Mengal claims arrests and violent clashes

GDP-Mengal also claimed that over 250 of its workers had been arrested by security forces during operations near Luke Pass in Mastung. The party accused law enforcement of shooting at the marches, using tear gas and setting up roadblocks with containers to stop their progress.

Mengal criticized the government for forcing the people to protest and claim that the government was working hard for the province’s welfare, protests would not have been necessary.

In response to the ongoing protest, the Quetta administration warned that litigation would be taken if the march continued. The Deputy Commissioner of Quetta wrote a letter on Friday and rejected GDP-Mengal’s request for approval to enter Quetta.

The letter reminded GDP Mengal that a ban had been introduced by the Balochistan home department at all public gatherings, including rallies, processions and sit-ins, for three months from February 28.

The letter also mentioned that the intelligence and coordination committee had decided that events or long marches would not be allowed within Quetta’s jurisdiction because of the prevailing law and order situation. It also warned that any violation would result in the organizers held fully responsible for any disruptions and facing litigation.

The provincial government claimed it was in contact with GDP Mengal management and assured them that they were obliged to ensure the security of all participants in the long march.

The government also emphasized that the situation would be closely monitored and further updates on the investigation of the bombing would be delivered to the public.