30 people killed in explosions in Pakistan’s Balochistan

Karachi. At least 40 people were killed and 30 others injured in twin bomb blasts targeting election offices in Balochistan province on Wednesday, a day before general elections in Pakistan. In the first incident, 20 people were killed and 30 others were injured in a massive blast outside the office of independent candidate Asfandyar Khan Kakar in Pishin district. Less than an hour later, another bomb exploded outside the election office of Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI) in Qila Abdullah area, killing 10 people and injuring 22 others. No group or individual has taken responsibility for both the blasts.

Abdullah Zahari, senior police officer of Panjgur, Balochistan, said that a bomb was placed in a bag with a ‘timer’ attached outside the election office of candidate Asfandyar Khan Kakar. He said, “The condition of some of the injured is critical and they have been taken to Quetta for treatment.” Zahari said, “The terrorists are targeting the candidates to stop people from going to the polling stations, but the elections are going on. The number of security personnel is being increased to ensure that it happens on time.” According to local media reports, the blast at the election office of the JUI candidate in Qila Abdullah area caused heavy damage. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) confirmed the two blasts and said security had been beefed up in the province ahead of Thursday’s elections.

An ECP spokesperson said, “The perpetrators of these terrorist attacks will be caught and strict action will be taken against them.” Balochistan Home Minister Jan Achakzai condemned the attacks and said the elections would be held as per schedule. Acting Home Minister Gauhar Ijaz has strongly condemned the explosion outside the election office of an independent candidate in Pishin. Before the general elections to be held in Pakistan on February 8, violence is at its peak in Balochistan bordering Afghanistan and Iran. On Tuesday, 10 grenade attacks were carried out on security posts, election campaign offices and rallies in different areas of the province. Since Sunday, around 50 such attacks have taken place in the province and in one incident in Sibi town, attackers targeted an election rally of a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf candidate for the National Assembly, killing four people and Six others were injured.

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