Balochistan blast: Death toll rises to 25, Pak Deputy Chairman Senate including 35 wounded

At least 25 people lost their lives while over 35 others were injured in a roadside blast that took place at Balochistan on Friday.

Islamabad: At least 25 people lost their lives while over 35 others, including Deputy Chairman Senate of Pakistan Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, were injured in a roadside blast that took place at Balochistan in Pakistan on Friday, officials said.

The blast took place in the town of Mastung, about 50 kilometers south of Balochistan's provincial capital of Quetta today afternoon. It appears to have targeted the convoy of Senate deputy chairman Abdul Ghafoor Haideri.

District Health Officer in Mastung Dr Sher Zaman said, "25 bodies have been shifted to two hospitals in Quetta," adding that 37 injured were also being transferred to Quetta.

Maulana Haideri's convoy was targeted in the blast with pictures showing the extent of damage to his vehicle. The deputy chairman was returning from an event at Ittihad Bainul Muslimeen at Jamia Masjid Hammadi when the explosion took place.

Haideri, however, survived the attempt on his life. 

"He was wounded by the blast but someone who was sitting next to him, and his driver were both killed," an official said. 

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.