ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN – At least 24 people were killed and over 50 were injured in two separate explosions targeting electoral candidates’ offices in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Baluchistan, occurring a day ahead of the general election in the country.
According to Pakistani media, the first attack claimed the lives of at least 12 individuals, while over 25 were injured, as an explosion occurred outside the office of an independent candidate in Baluchistan’s Pishin district. The second blast, outside the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) office in the Killa Saifullah district of the province, killed at least 12 individuals and injured 25 others.
The first explosion targeted the office of independent candidate Asfand Yar Khan Kakar. Reports from Pakistani media indicate that the candidate was not present inside his office at the time of the explosion.
Meanwhile, Jan Achakzai, the Caretaker Information Minister of Baluchistan, stated that the explosive material was placed on a motorcycle. “Further investigation is ongoing,” he added, ensuring that a peaceful election would take place in the province the next day. “Tomorrow, the people of Balochistan will come out, they will destroy the ambitions of terrorists,” Achakzai said.
Anwarul Haq Kakar, the Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, condemned the attacks, emphasizing that all attempts to disrupt the upcoming elections would be defeated. He said his caretaker government is resolute in ensuring the electoral process is concluded peacefully.
Pakistan’s caretaker Interior Minister, Gohar Ejaz, has also condemned the twin attacks in Baluchistan, emphasizing that the country’s security forces would not “let the evil intentions of the enemy succeed at any cost. Inciteful elements want to create chaos before the general elections and stop the public from exercising their right to vote,” he said.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks as of yet; however, previous incidents in the area have been claimed by either the Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or the Baluch insurgent group, Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA). Security concerns in Pakistan’s Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have risen as both provinces have witnessed multiple attacks over the past few weeks.
The attacks took place just one day before the scheduled general elections in the country. Despite concerns regarding security challenges and the potential for heightened violence during the election, both the country’s security forces and election commission reaffirmed their commitment to proceed with the planned date.
On Tuesday, February 6, Pakistani police reported a series of nine grenade attacks targeting election offices of candidates and polling stations across various areas in Baluchistan province. No casualties were reported as a result of these incidents.
Since the beginning of the election campaign process, at least two election candidates have been killed during their campaigns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. One of the incidents was claimed by the Islamic State affiliate in the region (IS-KP).
Furthermore, last week, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) launched a large-scale coordinated attack during a political rally in a town in Balochistan province, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 people.
