Seven people were killed on Friday at a pro-Palestinian rally after a motorcycle bomb exploded as people tried to disperse. 17 others were wounded, including the leader of a hardline religious party who organized the event according to the police.

The explosion happened in the city of Chaman near the Afghan border in the province of Balochistan per region police chief Jafar Khan in a report from Reuters. Wounded from the blast was cleric leader Maulana Abdul Qadir Luni who is known to support Afghan Taliban militants.

The incident is believed to be tied to the nationalists' insurgency who want a greater share of profits from the mineral-rich province bordering Iran and Afghanistan. The province is home to the newly expanded Gwadar deepwater port - the centerpiece of a planned $65-billion investment in China's Belt and Road Initiative economic corridor.

The incident comes not long after a car bomb exploded in the parking lot of a luxury hotel in Quetta. The explosion claimed four lives and wounded 11 others. The China envoy who was staying at the hotel at that time was fortunately out at the time of the incident.

“There was a rally there, and as soon as it was ending and people were dispersing that is when the blast occurred,” police official Muhammad Iqbal stated to Al Jazeera.

According to Iqbal, the explosives were planted in a motorcycle that was parked near where the rally was taking place. Three of those who were wounded are in critical condition and have been moved to the provincial capital, Quetta.

Abdul Qadir Loni, the regional chief of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam religious party’s Nazriati faction (JUI-N) was hosting the rally at the time when he heard a loud explosion and then hurried to his vehicle. He was fearing for his life since he had been receiving threats in recent months.

The blast happened as people were celebrating Palestine Day to show their solidarity with the people of Gaza following the 11-day conflict with Israel. At least 243 Palestinians in Gaza and 12 Israelis were killed.

Security officials and onlookers are seen at the site of a bomb blast during a pro-Palestinian rally in which six people were killed and another 14 wounded, in Chaman of Pakistan's Balochistan province near the Afghanistan border on May 21, 2021.
Security officials and onlookers are seen at the site of a bomb blast during a pro-Palestinian rally in which six people were killed and another 14 wounded, in Chaman of Pakistan's Balochistan province near the Afghanistan border on May 21, 2021. Getty Images | ASGHAR ACHAKZAI/AFP
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