Bomb blast kills 11 at rally in southwestern Pakistan, officials say

Police say the blast appears to be a suicide bombing

Men mourn the death of a relative, who was killed in a bomb blast at the public rally in Quetta, at hospital premises in Quetta, Pakistan Sept 2, 2025. REUTERS/Naseer Ahmed

A bomb blast killed at least 11 people at a public rally in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta late on Tuesday, officials said.

The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement released on Wednesday.

Government official Hamza Shafaat said the rally was held to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Sardar Ataullah Mengal, a nationalist leader and former provincial chief minister.

His son Sardar Akhtar Mengal, who was in attendance, is safe, Shafaat said, adding that another 30 people were injured.

"The reports we have say that the bomb went off in a parking area as the people were leaving the rally," he said.

Police were investigating the blast, which appeared to be a suicide bombing, police official Athar Rasheed said.

Quetta is the capital of restive Balochistan province, which borders Afghanistan and Iran. Both Islamist militants and Baloch separatist insurgents operate in the region.