Eve of Pakistan's national election: Two blasts claim 22 lives

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
7 Feb 2024 13:58
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Two bomb blasts on the eve of Pakistan's national election, claiming at least 22 lives, highlight the violence and security challenges overshadowing the electoral process.

Security officials examine the scene of a bomb blast in Khanozai, Pashin, a district of Pakistan's Balochistan province, Wednesday, February 7, 2024. (AP)

On the eve of the national elections, on Wednesday, witnessed two devastating bomb attacks outside the offices of election candidates in southwestern Pakistan, killing at least 22 people. With that, the upcoming vote has already been marred by violence and allegations of poll-rigging.

The first improvised explosive device (IED) blast on Wednesday claimed 12 lives near the office of an independent candidate in Pishin district, approximately 50 kilometers from Quetta and 100 kilometers from the Afghan border. Additionally, Caretaker Information Minister for Balochistan province, Jan Achakzai, and Quetta police reported 25 additional people wounded in the attack.

Soon after, a second IED detonated near the election office of a candidate for the Islamist Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) party in the city of Killa Saifullah, about 120 kilometers east. Jan Achakzai stated that at least 10 people were killed, and 12 others were injured in this incident.

"The incident took place in the main bazaar of the city area, where the election office of the JUI-F was targeted," a senior police official told AFP.

In anticipation of Thursday's election, over half a million security officers have been deployed, with authorities working to secure more than 90,000 polling stations across the country.

It is worth keeping in mind that in the lead-up to the election, numerous security incidents have occurred, including targeted attacks on candidates whereby two candidates were assassinated, and dozens more have been victims of attacks. The attacks underscore the challenges and security risks surrounding the electoral process in Pakistan.

Terrorist attack targets Pakistan police station; 10 officers killed

Several militants launched an assault on a police station in northern Pakistan on Monday morning, resulting in the death of at least 10 officers, as confirmed by a high-ranking commander.

"More than 30 terrorists launched an attack from three directions. There was an exchange of fire for over two and a half hours," Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police chief Akhtar Hayat Gandapur said, as quoted by AFP.

The border areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have long been a focal point of militant activities, with both Pakistan Taliban and ISIS fighters targeting government and security installations.

This comes shortly after heavily armed militants carried out three synchronized attacks in Pakistan's turbulent Balochistan province on January 31, including one targeting a high-security prison. The assaults resulted in the death of four law enforcement personnel and two civilians, sparking an exchange of fire in which nine of the militants were also killed.