Jhal Magsi shrine suicide attack: Pak police probing IS claim

A senior Pakistan law enforcement officer has said police is investigating whether the Islamic State (IS) did play a role in the suicide attack on a shrine in the Jhal Magsi area of Balochistan.

The death toll in the incident has risen to 21 after two more injured victims died on Friday, the Dawn reported.

The explosion, which the police has attributed to a suicide bomber, took place at the entrance to the dargah at a time when scores of people had gathered to pay their respects. Thursdays are usually busy in terms of attendance at shrines as the day is considered spiritually significant.

The suicide bomber had tried to enter the Fatehpur Dargah (shrine), but a security guard stopped him, following which the attacker detonated the explosives.

Balochistan spokesman Anwarul Haq Kakar confirmed that it was a suicide attack. The security forces had reached the spot and condoned the area after the incident.