At least 25 people were killed and more than 35 people injured in a "huge" explosion in the southwestern Pakistani province of Baluchistan, according to a statement by Pakistani Prime Minister's Office.
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the deadly attack, and the ISIL has later claimed the responsibility, saying a bomber wearing an explosive vest was responsible for the attack.
The blast apparently targeted the deputy chairman of Pakistan's upper house Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, who was returning from an event at Hammadia mosque with his party members, and his convoy came under attack at the main highway.
Xinhua Photo
Haideri said on private TV channel SAMAA: "I am alive, Allah has saved my life, it was a sudden blast, broken pieces of the windscreen hit me, I am injured but safe. The driver and other people sitting next to me were badly injured."
The incident took place near the town of Mastung, and local television showed footage of what appeared to be a car mangled in the explosion.
Haideri's vehicle was completely damages and his driver and personal assistant were also killed in the attack, said Ghazanfar Ali, the Deputy Police Officer at Mastung, and the senator remained safe, as he was not sitting in the car.
File photo of Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri from the Internet.
In the statement, Sharif wished a speedy recovery to the Senate's deputy chairman and other wounded people. He also directed hospital administration to provide best possible medical treatment to the injured.
According to the Health officer of Mastung Dr. Sher Zaman, the killed people included all ages and at least ten injured victims are in critical condition.
The country's President Mamnoon Hussain also condemned the attack.
(Source: Reuters, AFP, Xinhua)
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