Deadly blast rips religious gathering in Pakistan, dozens killed

At least 52 people were killed and more than 50 injured on Friday in a suicide attack on a religious gathering to mark the birthday of Prophet Mohammed in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, health officials and police said.  

The bombing occurred in Mastung, a district in Pakistan's western Balochistan province, said government administrator Atta Ullah. Dozens of injured people were taken to nearby hospitals and some were in critical condition, he added.

No group has claimed responsibility for the blast, which comes amid a surge in attacks claimed by militant groups in the west of the country, raising the stakes for security forces ahead of national elections scheduled for January next year.