A suicide bombing at a religious gathering in southwest Pakistan has killed at least 52 people and injured more than 50, local authorities say.

The bombing occurred in Mastung, a district in Balochistan province, where hundreds of people had gathered on Friday to celebrate the birthday of Islam’s Prophet Mohammed, which is a public holiday. 

No group has claimed responsibility for the blast which comes amid a surge in attacks by militant groups in western Pakistan, raising the stakes for security forces ahead of national elections scheduled for January.

At least 58 people were wounded, said Abdul Rasheed, a district health official, adding that the toll could rise as many people were in a serious condition.

Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi condemned the attack and asked authorities to provide all possible assistance to the wounded and the victims’ families.

In a statement, caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti denounced the bombing and expressed sorrow and grief over the loss of lives.

He said it was a “heinous act” to target people during the Mawlid an-Nabi procession.

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Pakistan has seen a resurgence of attacks by Islamist militants since last year when a ceasefire broke down between the government and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an umbrella organisation of various hardline Sunni Islamist groups.

The TTP denied it had carried out Friday’s attack.

The Islamic State group has claimed previous deadly attacks in the gas-rich Balochistan province at the border of Afghanistan and Iran. 

This region has been the site of a low-level insurgency by Baloch nationalists for more than two decades. 

Baloch nationalists initially wanted a share of provincial resources, but they later launched an insurgency calling for independence.

Second blast near Peshawar

Hours after the Balochistan suicide bombing, a separate blast took place at a mosque near Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. 

According to Reuters, at least two people have been killed during Friday prayers. 

The mosque’s roof collapsed in the blast, local broadcaster Geo News reported, adding that about 30 to 40 people were trapped under the rubble.

More to come.

Reuters/AP