UPDATE 5 - Dozens killed in Pakistan blasts

UPDATES WITH LATEST OFFICIAL DEATH TOLL

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) - Dozens of people were killed and many others injured in blasts that hit two provinces in Pakistan on Friday, health and police officials said.

The first attack was at a procession to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, which is a public holiday, near a mosque in the Mastung district of the southwestern province of Balochistan.

Those injured in the blast were taken to nearby hospitals, with many in critical condition.

Provincial caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai said the death toll had risen to 40, while and 60 people were wounded.

Local Dawn newspaper quoted district health officer Abdul Rasheed Shahi as saying that 52 people lost their lives.

Anadolu was unable to confirm the figures.

Jan Achakzai had told Anadolu earlier that the incident was most likely a suicide attack, and announced three days of mourning.

Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said rescue and relief operations were underway after the "heinous act," adding that "we're committed to a zero-tolerance policy against terrorists."

"I assure you that the state stands with the oppressed, our forces are strong, we will find their facilitators, destroy their training centers and go against them to the last extent," Bugti said in a separate video statement.

President Arif Alvi and caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar also condemned the attack and asked authorities to provide all possible assistance to the injured and the victims' families.

A second blast occurred inside a mosque in the Hangu district of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. At least four people were killed, and 12 others injured, said Fazal Akbar, the district's deputy commissioner.

"There were two blasts ... police hit the first suicide bomber outside the mosque's gate, while the second one managed to enter inside and blew himself up," Akbar said in a video statement.

According to Akbar, about 60 to 70 people had gathered for Friday prayers, but due to the firing, most had left and thus remained unhurt.