A BOMB exploded at an election office of an independent candidate in southwest Pakistan on Wednesday, the day before parliamentary elections are to be held, killing at least 14 people and wounding more than two dozen others, officials said.
The first attack happened in Pashin, a district in Balochistan province, said Jan Achakzai, the spokesperson for the provincial government. He said the wounded are being transported to a nearby hospital, and police said some of them were listed in critical condition.
A second explosion at another political party’s office kills 10 more in Pakistan, bringing the death toll to at least 24.
“The incident [second blast] took place close to the election office of the local JUI-F candidate” in Killa Saifullah, said Jan Achakzai, provincial information minister of Balochistan.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The bombing came despite the deployment of tens of thousands of police and paramilitary forces across Pakistan to ensure peace following a recent surge in militant attacks in the country, especially in Baluchistan.
The gas-rich Balochistan province at the border of Afghanistan and Iran has been the scene of a low-level insurgency for more than two decades.
Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups also have a strong presence in the province.
By Desmond Nleya, Daily Times
