Targeted Attack At Election Candidates In Balochistan Claims 25 Lives, 40 Severely Injured

An explosion outside election candidates’ offices in Balochistan province, Pakistan, resulted in at least 25 fatalities and over 40 injuries just a day before general elections.

The first attack occurred outside an independent candidate’s office in Pishin, claiming 15 lives and injuring over 30.  A subsequent blast targeted the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) office in the Killa Saifullah district.  Another explosion outside the political office of independent candidate Asfand Yar Khan Kakar in Pishin’s Khanozai area resulted in 12 deaths and numerous injuries.

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Most of the injured are in critical condition and have been taken to Tehsil Hospital Khanozai. Emergency measures have been implemented across hospitals in Quetta, with additional staff mobilized to treat the injured.

ECP requested reports

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has requested reports from the Balochistan chief secretary and Inspector General of Police (IGP) and issued directives to take action against those responsible for the incidents. Kakar confirmed the explosion occurred from a motorcycle outside his office.

What do officials say?

A senior police officer in Balochistan Panjgur, Abdullah Zehri, claimed that the explosion outside candidate Asfandyar Khan Kakar’s election office was caused by a remote detonator that was placed in a bag outside the structure.

“The condition of some of the injured is critical and they have been rushed to Quetta for treatment,” he added.

He informed the body count so far is 17 but the casualties could rise.

Zehri further added “Terrorists are targeting the election candidates to deter people from going to the polling stations but security personnel are being increased further to ensure the elections go ahead on schedule,”

Eight people have already died as a result of the strong explosion that destroyed a JUI candidate’s election office in the Killa Abdullah area, according to reports from the local media.

“In light of the tragic Pishin blast, which claimed the lives of 12 individuals and left 24 others injured, and the Qilla Saifullah blast, which killed 10 people, it is important to emphasize that the scheduled elections will proceed as planned,” he said in a statement on X.

He further said, “Allow me to reiterate our unwavering commitment to relentlessly pursue terrorists until every last one of them is eliminated…Rest assured, we will not allow terrorists to undermine or sabotage this crucial democratic process.”

The explosion that occurred in front of an independent candidate’s Pishin election office has been strongly condemned by acting interior minister Gohar Ejaz.

The interim minister sent his condolences to the families of the deceased, per a post on X.

Ten grenade attacks were conducted on Tuesday across the province at various security posts, campaign offices, and rallies.

About fifty such attacks have occurred in the area since Sunday. In one instance, in Sibi Town, attackers targeted an election rally for a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf candidate for the National Assembly, resulting in four fatalities and six injuries.