Two separate blasts targeting election candidates in Balochistan claim 28 lives & injure 50 others
PISHIN/QILLA SAIFULLAH/QUETTA/ISLAMABAAD, Feb 07 (SABAH): At least 28 people were killed and over 50 others injured Wednesday in two separate explosions targeting election candidates in Balochistan, just a day before general elections in Pakistan.
The first attack claimed at least 15 people’s lives while over 30 were injured after an explosion took place outside an independent candidate’s office in Balochistan’s Pishin while the second blast took place outside the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) office in the Qilla Saifullah district.
The Pishin blast took place outside the political office of independent candidate Asfand Yar Khan Kakar in Khanozai area.
Kakar is contesting elections from NA-265 constituency and Balochistan Assembly constituencies — PB-47 and PB-48 in the February 8 elections.
Speaking to a private TV channel, 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 injured people have been shifted to the Tehsil Hospital Khanozai, while the bodies have also been transferred, the hospital’s MS Dr. Habib told media. 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 a private TV channel. 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.
The independent candidate was not present inside his office when the explosion took place in PP-47 in Pishin.
Meanwhile the terrorism act in Qilla Saifullah was carried out outside an election office of Maulana Abdul Wasay, a JUI-F leader, as people had gathered on the premises for a meeting.
However, Wasay, who is a JUI-F candidate from PB-3, wasn’t present in the meeting when the bomb blast rocked the area, as the investigators are trying to ascertain the nature of the explosion by collecting evidence from the site.
Balochistan Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai put the number of deaths at 12 and injured at eight. However, there are fears that the death toll may climb.
Reacting to the Pishin terror attack news, Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said no sacrifice could deter the people of Pakistan from participating in the democratic process.
“We are not facing the security challenges for the first time. The people of Pakistan have fought this war for over a decade now,” Solangi said, adding that a total of 666 people had lost their lives during the 2018 elections.
On the other hand, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) took notice of the terror attacks and sought a report from the Balochistan chief secretary and the police chief, directing them to take stern action against the perpetrators.
A spokesperson for the ECP said directives have been issued to take action against those involved in such incidents.
Meanwhile, Balochistan Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai said the explosive material was planted in a motorcycle, according to preliminary information. “Further investigation is underway,” he added.
The minister assured that peaceful elections will be held in Balochistan tomorrow. “Tomorrow, the people of Balochistan will come out, they will destroy the ambitions of terrorists,” Achakzai said.
Speaking about the injured, the minister said they will be sent to other cities if they are unable to receive treatment in Quetta.
Achakzai said that the government will continue its responsibility despite the tragic incident.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali, in a telephone call with Balochistan governor and chief minister, has expressed regret over the Pishin blast.
Caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz has condemned the attack outside the election office in Pishin, expressing deep sorrow and regret over the loss of precious lives.
“Evil elements want to defame Pakistan by creating insecurity during elections,” the minister said, adding that those who play with the lives of innocent citizens will be dealt with iron hands.
Ijaz added that the government will take all possible steps to establish peace during the elections.
President Dr. Arif Alvi has strongly condemned the blasts in Pishin and Qilla Saifullah. In a statement, Dr. Arif Alvi expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the blasts.
Dr. Arif Alvi condoled with the bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has strongly condemned the blasts in Pishin and Qila Saifullah.
Expressing regret over the loss of lives in blasts, the Prime Minister instructed to provide immediate medical aid to the injured.
The Prime Minister sought the report of the incident from the Chief Secretary Balochistan.
He said the government is determined to conduct the general elections peacefully and any attempt to sabotage the law and order situation will be thwarted.
Caretaker Provincial Home Minister Mir Zubair Jamali has strongly condemned the blast and sought report from Deputy Commissioner Pishin. He also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives.