Pakistan election: Two deadly blasts in Balochistan day before voteon February 7, 2024 at 10:06 am

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Two explosions kill at least 20 people ahead of a poll marred by violence and claims of rigging.

Scenes outside a hospital in Quetta in the province of Balochistan.

Two bomb explosions have killed at least 20 people in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on the eve of general elections, officials say.

The first blast killed 12 people in front of an independent candidate’s party office in Pishin district.

A second explosion left eight people dead in Qillah Saif Ullah district, about 150km (93 miles) away. Many others were injured in the two blasts.

The election has been marred by violence and claims of poll-rigging.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack in Pishin. Details of the second blast are still emerging.

Images on social media show cars and motorbikes blown apart by the force of the explosion in Pishin. It took place outside the election office of a local independent candidate who officials told the BBC was meeting his polling agent at the time.

There have been violent incidents in both Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces in the last week or so in the build-up to Thursday’s vote.

Police are trying to determine the cause of the blast and the injured have been transported to nearby hospitals.

The Balochistan government said the vote would proceed as planned.

“Rest assured, we will not allow terrorists to undermine or sabotage this crucial democratic process,” provincial information minister Jan Achakzai posted on X, formerly Twitter.

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Zumper Secures $60M To Become The ‘Airbnb For One-Year Leasing’

Zumper, a rental marketplace for renters and landlords, announced this morning it has raised $60 million in a Series D round led by new...

G20 in final push to reach deal on climate at Rome summiton October 31, 2021 at 10:52 am

The leaders of the world's richest economies are looking for an agreement ahead of COP26.Image source, ReutersThe leaders of the world's richest economies will...

Covid in China: US imposes Covid testing for visitors from Chinaon December 28, 2022 at 10:46 pm

Several other countries have imposed restrictions on travellers from China as Covid cases surge.Image source, Getty ImagesBy Alys DaviesBBC NewsItaly has become the latest...

Paul Robson: Sex offender who fled HMP North Sea Camp recapturedon February 17, 2022 at 10:29 am

Paul Robson, 56, spent four days on the run after going missing from an open prison on Sunday.Image source, Lincolnshire PoliceA sex offender branded...

Football fan’s photo gesture for 14-year-old boy in Gazaon November 9, 2023 at 2:36 pm

Ali, 14, who fears he may be killed in Gaza, has always dreamed of visiting Liverpool's ground.Ali, 14, who fears he may be killed...