At least 26 people were killed and 50 others injured Wednesday in two separate explosions targeting election candidates in Balochistan, just a day before general elections in Pakistan.
A three-day mourning period has been announced by CM Balochistan to mourn the loss of lives in both attacks, Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai said in a presser.
The first attack claimed at least 14 people’s lives while 25 were injured after an explosion took place outside an independent candidate’s office in Balochistan’s Pishin, while the second blast took place outside the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) office in the Killa Saifullah district.
The Pishin blast took place outside the political office of independent candidate Asfand Yar Khan Kakar in Khanozai area.
Kakar is contesting elections from NA-265 constituency and Balochistan Assembly constituencies — PB-47 and PB-48 in the February 8 elections.
The injured people have been shifted to the Tehsil Hospital Khanozai, while the bodies have also been transferred,the hospital’s MS Dr Habib told media.
Dr Habib said most of the injured are in critical condition.
Following the blast, an emergency has been imposed across hospitals in Quetta for which additional staff has also been called, the provincial health secretary told media.
He added that operation theatres with the staff are ready to treat injured at the Trauma Centre, Civil Hospital, BMC, Benazir and Sheikh Zayed Hospital.
The independent candidate was not present inside his office when the explosion took place in PP-47 in Pishin.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken notice of the blast and summoned a report from Balochistan chief secretary and Inspector General of Police (IGP).
A spokesperson for the ECP said directives have been issued to take action against those involved in such incidents.
