Two separate blasts in different districts rocked Balochistan, leaving at least 28 dead and over 40 injured on the eve of general elections.
In the first incident, at least 15 people were killed when an explosion happened outside an independent candidate’s office in Khanozai, an area in Balochistan’s Pishin district.
According to reports, over 30 people were injured in the attack which took place on PP-47 in Pishin.
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 Geo News.
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 Geo News.
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.
Independent candidate Asfandyar Kakar’s workers and supporters were present at the office when the blast happened.
Kakar — who is contesting elections from NA-265 constituency and Balochistan Assembly constituencies PB-47 and PB-48 in the February 8 elections — himself was not present inside his office when the explosion took place.
Speaking with Geo News, Kakar said that the blast happened in a motorcycle outside his election office.
“Eight of our workers were martyred and more than 18 were injured in the explosion when the names of the polling agents were being finalised in the election office,” he said.
Kakar himself was in Barshore when the blast happened and is currently reaching Khanozai.
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.
