Blast in Balochistan a day before Pakistan general elections, 25 killed, more than 42 injured
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At least 25 people were killed in twin blasts in the restive Balochistan province ahead of Thursday’s general elections in Pakistan. While more than 42 people were injured in the blast.
At least 25 people killed and over 40 others injured in two separate explosions targeting election candidates in Balochistan, just a day before general elections, reports Pak’s Geo News.
— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2024
First blast took place in Pishin, Balochistan
In the first incident, 17 people were killed and 30 others were injured in a massive blast outside the office of independent candidate Asfandyar Khan Kakar in Pishin district, Geo News reported. Less than an hour later, another bomb exploded outside the election office of Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI) in Qila Abdullah area, killing eight people and injuring 12 others. The explosion at the election office of the JUI candidate in Qila Abdullah area caused huge damage.
A bomb was kept in the bag which had a ‘timer’
Abdullah Zahari, a senior police officer from Panjgur in Balochistan, said that a bomb was placed in a bag with a ‘timer’ attached outside the election office of candidate Asfandyar Khan Kakar. The condition of some of the injured is critical and they have been taken to Quetta for treatment, he said. He said that the number of casualties in the blast may increase.
The death toll may increase
It is being told that the death toll in the Balochistan blast may increase. Hospital’s MS Dr Habib told Geo News that the injured people have been referred to Tehsil Hospital Khanojai. Dr. Habib said that the condition of most of the injured is critical.
Emergency imposed in hospitals
Provincial Health Secretary said that after the blast, emergency has been imposed in all the hospitals of Quetta. Additional staff have been called to treat the injured. Trauma Centre, Civil Hospital, BMC, Benazir and Sheikh Zayed Hospital have also been put on alert mode.
Security increased after the blast
Abdullah Zahari said terrorists are targeting candidates to stop people from going to polling stations, but the number of security personnel is being increased to ensure that the elections take place on time. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) confirmed the two blasts and said security had been beefed up in the province for the 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 condemned the attack
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.
Violence in Balochistan at its peak before Pakistan elections
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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