Three people died and five others were injured in an explosion in Balochistan’s Sibi, officials said Tuesday, the latest terrorist strike in Pakistan’s restive province.
Local police said the explosion, the nature of which is yet to be determined, occurred at the city’s Jinnah Road.
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Civil Hospital’s Medical Superintendent Dr Shahid said that three injured people are in “critical condition”, noting that an emergency has been imposed in the facility following the incident.
The deadly explosion comes just eight days before the February 8 general elections, with security heightened across the country and law enforcers deployed to ensure the law and order situation.
Sibi Deputy Commissioner Khuda-e-Rahim confirmed that the blast took place as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) rally was passing through the city.
PTI Balochistan’s spokesperson Nazeer Achakzai has also confirmed the death of three party workers in the blast that targeted the rally being held by one of its candidates.
Reacting to the incident, caretaker Balochistan Minister for Information Jan Achakzai expressed condolences to the victims’ families.
The minister underscored that the upcoming polls would proceed as per the schedule, adding that the attack was aimed at discouraging the provincial government from holding the elections.
