The Facts
Local officials said that at least 52 people were killed and scores more were wounded after a suicide bombing in Mastung in Pakistan's Balochistan province on Friday.
The attack took place as hundreds gathered to mark the birthday of the prophet Muhammad. The celebration is accepted by a majority of Muslims in Pakistan but not by some religious denominations.
The Spin
Narrative A
These heinous terrorist attacks are an attempt at sowing chaos and pushing back against religious tolerance. These assaults call for a swift investigation, and whoever is behind these attacks must be held responsible to the fullest extent of the law.
Narrative B
It's not enough to just hold these culprits responsible: terrorism is on the rise in the region and will continue to be until preventative action is taken. This looks like signing intelligence-sharing agreements with Afghanistan and creating a broad counter-terrorism strategy that addresses the structural causes of extremism.
