A suicide bomber struck a political rally in southwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, killing at least 14 people and injuring several others.

According to AFP, at least 18 people were wounded in the explosion, which took place in the parking lot of a stadium in the provincial capital, Quetta where hundreds of members of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) had gathered, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Government official Hamza Shafaat said the rally was held to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Sardar Ataullah Mengal, a nationalist leader and former provincial chief minister.

Shafaat’s son Sardar Akhtar Mengal, who was in attendance, is safe, Shafaat said, adding that another 30 people were injured.

“The reports we have say that the bomb went off in a parking area as the people were leaving the rally,” he said.

Police were investigating the blast, which appeared to be a suicide bombing, police official Athar Rasheed said.

SIMILAR ATTACK BY A SUICIDE BOMBER IN NORTHWEST PAKISTAN

A similar instance of attack by a suicide bomber killed twelve people, including six security personnel and six terrorists in a coordinated attack on a paramilitary base in northwest Pakistan on Tuesday, authorities confirmed.

The assault began early in the morning in the town of Bannu, when a suicide bomber drove an explosive-laden vehicle into the boundary wall of the base, creating a breach that allowed other militants to storm the compound, according to regional police chief Sajjad Khan.

The incident triggered a fierce 12-hour gun battle between the attackers and security forces.

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With inputs from agencies