Pakistan: More Than 50 Killed in Multiple Mosque Attacks

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The Facts

  • Local officials said that at least 52 people were killed and scores more were wounded after a suicide bombing in Mastung in Pakistan's Balochistan province on Friday.

  • The attack took place as hundreds gathered to mark the birthday of the prophet Muhammad. The celebration is accepted by a majority of Muslims in Pakistan but not by some religious denominations.


The Spin

Narrative A

These heinous terrorist attacks are an attempt at sowing chaos and pushing back against religious tolerance. These assaults call for a swift investigation, and whoever is behind these attacks must be held responsible to the fullest extent of the law.

Narrative B

It's not enough to just hold these culprits responsible: terrorism is on the rise in the region and will continue to be until preventative action is taken. This looks like signing intelligence-sharing agreements with Afghanistan and creating a broad counter-terrorism strategy that addresses the structural causes of extremism.

Nerd narrative

There's an 82% chance that Pakistan will recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.


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