Tragedy averted: Bombs outside election offices defused

One device was discovered outside an ANP election office while another was found outside a PML-N candidate's house.

PESHAWAR: The police on Wednesday foiled two sabotage attempts by defusing remote controlled explosives that had been  planted near election offices within the Mathra police station jurisdiction on Wednesday.


Officials defused a five kilogram medium intensity explosive device planted near the election office of Awami National Party (ANP) candidate for PK-8, Arbab Nazir in Choli village. The device was spotted by locals who informed the police. After inspecting, officials summoned the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) who were able to defuse the device successfully.

Another explosive device was discovered near the house of Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) candidate for PK-7, Syed Abbas Ali Shah, in Bacha Garhi. Police said that the device was found in a bag which a child had spotted and took away on Wednesday afternoon. Local residents upon realising what the contents of the bags were, immediately informed the police.

BDS revealed that the device was rigged to be detonated using a remote control. It contained approximately five kilograms of high intensity explosives.

Violence has spiked in the country ahead of national elections on May 11, with at least 61 people killed in attacks on politicians and political parties since April 11, according to an AFP tally.