ISLAMABAD / ISTANBUL

At least 15 people died and 32 others got injured following an explosion at a Tuesday political rally in southwestern Pakistan organized by the Balochistan National Party (BNP), an official said.

Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat told a news conference on Wednesday that the suicide attack in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, occurred around 500 meters (1,640 feet) from the exit point of the rally at 9.45 pm (1645GMT), after the event had officially ended hours earlier.

Shafqaat said the attacker was unable to breach the main gathering due to strict security measures, and so was forced to detonate the device away from the crowd.

“The remains of the bomber, believed to be under 30 years old, were recovered, and authorities estimate that around eight kilograms (17.6 pounds) of explosives were used,” he said.

The political rally was targeted late Tuesday near Shahwani Stadium in the city's Sariab area after the event ended.

The BNP is a nationalist party led by Akhtar Mengal, a former chief minister of Balochistan province.

Mengal and other leaders were unhurt by the blast, including Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Asghar Khan Achakzai of the Awami National Party (ANP), and former Senator Mir Kabeer Muhammad Shai of the National Party.

The mineral-rich province has long been a hotbed of violence, where security forces have been facing a low-intensity rebellion.