At least 50 people have been killed and more than 50 injured in an attack that targeted a religious gathering near a mosque in the south-western Balochistan province on Friday.

Local officials said that at least 52 have been confirmed dead and over 50 others injured in the blast.

Pakistani President Arif Alvi strongly condemned the bombing, calling for medical assistance to be provided to the wounded, and for hunting down the perpetrators.

Southwestern province of Balochistan has seen in the past numerous attacks by militants, and the security forces and army in Pakistan have been carrying out security operations in various regions of the country to hunt armed groups there.

Source: Qatar News Agency