At least 52 people were killed and more than 58 injured today in a suicide attack on a religious gathering celebrating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad in Balochistan in southwestern Pakistan.

According to health officials and police, the explosion occurred near a mosque where people had gathered to commemorate the birth of Muhammad, a public holiday.

Thousands of people, including small children, participated in the celebrations and parades.

“The bomber detonated the explosives he carried near the deputy commissioner of police’s vehicle,” Deputy Inspector General of Police Munir Ahmed told Reuters.

No organization has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

However, the incident comes amid escalating attacks by militant groups in the western part of the country, increasing pressure on security forces ahead of national elections scheduled for January next year.

The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which brings together various hardline Sunni Islamic groups, has denied carrying out the attack.

The injured have been taken to hospitals in the neighboring town of Mastung. Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti called it a “particularly heinous act”.