On February 7, two explosions occurred at separate locations in Balochistan province, southwestern Pakistan, killing at least 2 people and injuring dozens of others. No organization has yet claimed responsibility.
According to CNN, Mr. Jan Achakzai, spokesman for the provincial government, said the first attack occurred at the election office of Mr. Asfandyar Khan, Chairman of the Awami National Party (ANP) in Pashin, a district in the province. Baluchistan. Officials said at least 15 people were killed in the attack and the injured were being transported to nearby hospitals. Some people are in critical condition.
Another bombing targeted the election office of politician Fazlur Rehman's Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI) party in Qilla Saifullah town, Baluchistan province, killing at least 11 people. JUI is one of the leading radical Islamist parties and supports the Taliban in Afghanistan. JUI's religious schools are spread across Pakistan, especially in the northwest bordering Afghanistan. Many Afghan Taliban leaders studied at Islamic seminaries run by JUI.
The attacks occurred a day before Pakistan holds parliamentary elections. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul-Haq-Kakar condemned the bombing in Baluchistan and sent condolences to the families of those killed. Mr. Anwaarul-Haq-Kakar pledged that "all efforts to sabotage the security order situation will be stopped" and that the election on February 8 will take place in a peaceful environment.
The bombings occurred as tens of thousands of police and paramilitary forces were deployed across Pakistan following a recent wave of militant attacks in the country, especially in Baluchistan.
HUY QUOC
