26 perish in simultaneous Balochistan blasts

Bombs target election offices of JUI-F leader in Killa Saifullah; independent candidate Asfandyar Kakar in Pishin

QUETTA:

A surge in terrorist attacks has rocked Balochistan and Sindh on the eve of general elections, claiming the lives of 26 people. Two simultaneous bomb explosions targeted election offices in the Pishin and Killa Saifullah districts of Balochistan, while three individuals tragically died in a premature grenade explosion in Karachi.

Also in Balochistan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) leader Hafiz Hamdullah narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Chaman. Assailants opened indiscriminate fire on Hamdullah’s vehicle, but his guards bravely returned fire, repelling the attackers and ensuring his safety.

Earlier, tragedy struck as 12 people lost their lives and over a dozen were injured in a blast targeting the election campaign office of Maulana Abdul Wasey, the Balochistan Amir of the JUI-F.

“The JUI F’s office was targeted through an improvised explosive device (IED),” Killa Saifullah Deputy Commissioner Yasir Khan Bazai confirmed. Maulana Wasey was not at the office at the time of the explosion, he added.

In another bomb blast outside the election office of Asfandyar Khan Kakar, an independent candidate for PB-47, Pishin, at least 14 people were killed and over two-dozen more injured. Pishin Deputy Commissioner Jumadad Mandokhail said that the victims were supporters of Kakar.

“Terrorists had planted a bomb in a motorcycle parked outside the campaign office in Khanozai bazar,” Mandokhail said. The injured were rushed to the Khanozai Hospital. However, the seriously injured victims were later taken to the Trauma Center in Quetta.

Emergency was declared at the Trauma Centre in the Quetta Civil Hospital. “A total of 18 injured have been brought here,” civil hospital spokesperson Waseem Baig said. “The condition of five injured is serious,” he added.

وزیر داخلہ ڈاکٹر گوہر اعجاز کی قلعہ سیف اللہ میں جمعیت علما اسلام ف کے دفتر کے باہر دھماکے کی شدید الفاظ میں مذمت، وزیر داخلہ کا دھماکے میں قیمتی جانوں کے نقصان پر گہرے دکھ اور افسوس کا اظہار، شہدا کے اہلِ خانہ کے غم میں برابر کے شریک ہیں،

— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) February 7, 2024

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Karachi East, Irfan Bahadur, reported that an act of sabotage was thwarted in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal neighborhood when a hand grenade exploded prematurely, resulting in the death of the alleged terrorist.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) East, Ghulam Azfar Mahesar, revealed that 17-year-old Farooq Mirani, son of Police Inspector Rehman Mirani, was leaving his house with the grenade in his hand. Upon seeing the bomb, children in the street raised the alarm.

Mahesar explained that Farooq attempted to conceal the bomb, but its safety pin was inadvertently pulled out, causing it to explode in his hands. Tragically, Farooq, along with two other civilians identified as Rehan and Nasreen, lost their lives on the spot.

Balochistan, in particular, has experienced a sudden spike in terrorist attacks leading up to the elections. Prior to the twin terrorist attacks in Pishin and Killa Saifullah and the shooting incident in Chaman on Wednesday, there were bombings in Sibi and other parts of the province targeting candidates.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has also been on high alert ahead of the polling, with a candidate being assassinated and at least 10 police officials martyred when terrorists stormed a police station in Dera Ismail Khan on February 5.

In response to these incidents, especially the bomb blasts in Balochistan, the authorities swiftly closed the country’s borders with Afghanistan and Iran for one day. The Foreign Office (FO) declared that the closure aimed to ensure "security during the general elections.

Despite the surge in terrorist attacks, authorities were firm that elections would take place as per schedule on Thursday (today). Caretaker Interior Minister Dr Goher Ejaz expressed his commitment to ensure robust security for elections.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Ejaz outlined the government’s comprehensive arrangements put in place for the elections. He highlighted the presence of trained commandos in Balochistan and the support of the armed forces for the electoral process.

“Security will be deployed in three tiers, with 7 to 8 law-enforcers stationed at each polling station,” Ejaz said. In Balochistan, the interior minister highlighted the disruptive actions of terrorists tarnishing Pakistan’s image.

چیئرمین پیپلزپارٹی بلاول بھٹو زرداری کی پشین میں دہشتگردی کی مذمت

بم دھماکے میں ملوث منصوبہ سازوں کو قانون کی گرفت میں لایا جائے 'بلاول بھٹو زرداری

معصوم انسانوں کو نشانہ بنانا انتہائی وحشیانہ عمل ہے ' بلاول بھٹو زرداری

وفاقی اور بلوچستان حکومت مجرموں کو بے نقاب کرکے انصاف…

— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) February 7, 2024

Meanwhile, security in Islamabad was also raised to the third level, where 6,500 police personnel, 1000 Frontier Corps (FC), 1,500 Rangers would perform the election duties in addition to the Army soldiers. Some 1,500 closed circuit cameras had also been installed to monitor the polling stations.

Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja expressed concerns over the recent terrorist attacks during his discussions with the Balochistan chief secretary and the inspector general of police. He directed them to take necessary measures to prevent such incidents.

Separately, the CEC ordered high security alert and necessary deployments to ensure foolproof security for voters and protection of the offices of district returning officers (DROs) and the returning officers (ROs) across the country.

Following the instructions, the interior ministry established a control room to monitor the overall in security situation in the country. The central control room Islamabad would maintain constant communication with the provincial, regional, and district control rooms on the security matters.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar strongly condemned the blasts in Killa Saifullah and Pashin districts. Kakar vowed to foil every attempt of the elements, who wanted to sabotage law and order in the country. He reiterated the government’s resolve to hold peaceful elections.

Caretaker Balochistan Chief Minister Ali Mardan Domki strongly condemned terrorist attacks and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. He said no one would be spared and that government would make sure holding fair and peaceful elections in Balochistan.

Caretaker Information Minister of Balochistan Jan Achakzai accused India of being behind all acts of terrorism in the province. “India is behind today’s terrorist attack,” he said, adding that India was creating unrest in Balochistan.

“Despite all odds, elections will be held in Balochistan at all costs.”

(WITH INPUT FROM OUR KARACHI AND ISLAMABAD CORRESPONDENTS)