QUETTA: Two separate explosion in different districts rocked Balochistan province of Pakistan, leaving at least 22 dead and around 40 wounded, local media reported.
In the first, at least 12 people were killed when a blast occurred near an independent candidate’s office in Khanozai, Pishin. According to local media more than 30 people were wounded in the attack which occurred on PP-47 in Pishin.
The wounded people have been shifted to the Tehsil Hospital Khanozai, while the bodies have also been shifted, the hospital’s MS Dr Habib told local media. He said most of the injured are in critical condition and expressed fear of more casualties. Local media reported that an emergency has been imposed across hospitals in Quetta after the explosions.
Pakistan’s caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz denounced the attack outside the election office in Pishin, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives.
وزیر داخلہ ڈاکٹر گوہر اعجاز کی پشین میں الیکشن آفس کے باہر دھماکے کی شدید مزمت،وزیر داخلہ کا دھماکے میں قیمتی جانوں کے ضیاع پر گہرے دکھ اور افسوس کا اظہار
وزیر داخلہ کی شہدا کی بلندی درجات اور اہل خانہ کیلئے صبر جمیل کی دعا.— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) February 7, 2024
He said, “Evil elements want to defame Pakistan by creating instability and insecurity during polls,” the minister said, saying that those who play with the lives of innocent people will be dealt with iron hands.
Ijaz further said that the government will take all possible measures to establish peace during the polls in the country.
Balochistan’s caretaker Minister for Home and Tribal Affairs Mir Zubair Khan Jamali took notice of an explosion in Pishin. In a statement, the minister expressed regret over the lives lost in the incident and also sought a report from the deputy commissioner and local authorities.
He said that the enemies of the country were looking to create instability. He further said that the election process will not be affected by such an assault.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) took notice of the blast in Pishin and sought immediate reports from the provincial police chief and provincial chief secretary. It added that according to reports, eight people were killed and around 10 injured due to a blast near the office of a political party in Pishin, Balochistan.
The Commission said, “The ECP has sought immediate reports from the chief secretary and the Balochistan police chief and directed them to take action against those involved in the incident.”
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