Independent Report
QUETTA: At least 26 people were killed and 50 others injured in two separate explosions targeting election candidates’ offices in Pishin and Killa Saifullah districts on Wednesday.
The caretaker Chief Minister Mir Ali Mardan Domki announced three-day mourning to mourn the loss of lives in both attacks, Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai said in a presser.
The first attack claimed at least 12 people’s lives while 25 were injured after an explosion took place outside an independent candidate’s office in Khanozai area of Pishin while the second blast took place outside the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) election office in Killa Saifullah.
The Pishin blast took place outside the political office of independent candidate Asfand Yar Khan Kakar in Khanozai area.
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 the media.
According to MS Dr Habib, 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.
The independent candidate was not present inside his office when the explosion took place in PP-47 in Pishin.
Meanwhile, speaking to the media, Asfandyar 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.
Meanwhile, the second blast targeted the JUI-F office in the Killa Saifullah district.
At least 12 people were killed and 25 others injured in the second explosion, Information Minister Achakzai said.
He said JUI-F leader Maulana Abdul Wassay, who is contesting elections from PB-3, remained unhurt in the attack.
Achakzai said terrorists would not succeed in their objectives and added that the war would continue until the elimination of the last terrorist.
Following the explosion in Killa Saifullah, many vehicles caught fire.
Deputy Commissioner Yasar Bazai told Geo News that most of the injured are in critical condition. “The Balochistan government is sending helicopters from Quetta to evacuate the injured.”
He added that a high alert has been issued across the district. “To ascertain the nature of the explosion, the bomb disposal squad team reached the site of the incident.”
The blast site has been sealed for investigation, he stated.
Superintendent of Police (SSP) Akhtar Achakzai told media that investigations into the nature of the explosion are underway.
He added that the JUI-F candidate was not present at the election office when the blast took place.
“Security arrangements have been beefed up in Killa Saifullah,” the SP said.
Meanwhile, 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.
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