Elections are to be held in Pakistan on Thursday and just a day before that, two massive bomb blasts took place.
There are reports of 26 deaths in these terrorist attacks, while 30 people have been seriously injured. The first suicide attack took place in Pishin, Balochistan, while the second blast took place in Qila Saifullah.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken cognizance of the blast in Pishin and sought a report from the government. The commission has sought an immediate report from the provincial chief secretary and the provincial police chief.
According to Pishin Deputy Commissioner Jumma Dad Khan, at least 14 people were killed and 30 injured in the suicide blast outside the election office of independent candidate Asfandyar Kakar here.
According to Dawn report, the electoral list of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) revealed that Kakar is an independent candidate contesting from PB-47 Lok Sabha constituency and his election symbol is ‘bowl’.
Interim Balochistan Chief Minister Ali Mardan Khan Domki has condemned the Pishin blast and sought a report from the Interior Ministry.
In a statement, he expressed deep sorrow and regret over the incident and directed the authorities to make all efforts to arrest those involved in the incidents.
He said, “Such incidents are a conspiracy to undermine the peaceful election process… The elements involved in such incidents should be brought to justice. All resources are being used to provide complete security to the people.”
He said that people should not be afraid and must come to exercise their franchise tomorrow. He said that efforts to improve law and order are ongoing.
This is not the first time that violence has taken place during elections in Pakistan. Two days ago, at least 10 policemen were killed and six others injured when heavily armed terrorists attacked a police station in northwest Pakistan.
A senior police officer of Dera Ismail Khan said that the attack took place at Chodwan police station in Darban tehsil in Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
So far no organization has claimed responsibility for the attack. District Police Officer Nasir Mehmood said, “We lost 10 of our soldiers while six others were injured in an ambush by heavily armed terrorists.” The terrorists fired grenades and heavy stones at the police station from all sides. The attack was carried out by firing, after which the police also retaliated, but the terrorists fled from there.