11 Jan 2020 | 07:21 PM UTC
Pakistan: Death toll rises from Quetta suicide bombing January 11 /update 1
Officials raise death toll from suicide bombing at mosque in Quetta (Baluchistan province) to at least 15 people January 11; Islamic State (IS) claims responsibility
Event
According to officials, the death toll from a suicide bombing at a mosque in Quetta (Baluchistan province) has increased to 15 people as of Saturday, January 11. At least 20 others were wounded in the blast. The Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for the attack, which reportedly targeted an Afghan Taliban seminary. The Taliban have denied that some of its members were killed in the incident.
Similar attacks are possible in Baluchistan over the near term.
Context
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al-Qai'da, Islamic State (IS) affiliates, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, Afghan Taliban, and other Islamist militant groups continue to pose a threat throughout the country despite continued army offensives to push them from their northwestern strongholds near the Afghan border. Pakistan has suffered numerous deadly attacks in recent months, notably in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
Advice
Individuals in Quetta are advised to monitor developments, avoid the affected area, and report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities.
Due to a high threat from terrorism, as well as kidnapping and sectarian violence, some Western governments advise their citizens to reconsider travel to Pakistan as foreign nationals, and Westerners in particular, may be directly targeted.
