Two explosions took place in Pakistan on the eve of elections, killing 28 people

Two explosions killed 28 people and injured about 40 more on February 7 in the province of Balochistan in southwestern Pakistan. This was reported by the Pakistani media Dawn.com.

Explosions took place in the towns of Pishin and Qila Saifullah near the offices of candidates for the elections to the National Assembly (Lower House of Parliament), to be held on February 8.

When speaking about the first incident, Deputy District Commissioner Jumadad Mandokhail said that the explosive device was planted in a motorcycle parked in the area. The explosion killed 18 people and injured 19 more. Bomb technicians, police and representatives of other law enforcement agencies immediately cordoned off the area and began collecting evidence.

The victims of the second explosion counted 10 people. Another 20 were injured.

The day before, on February 6, in the administrative center of Baluchistan, the city of Quetta, 9 grenade attacks on candidates’ headquarters and polling stations took place. There were no casualties reported.

In 2023, Pakistan recorded 1,524 deaths and 1,463 injuries from 789 terrorist attacks and counter-terrorism operations, including nearly 1,000 civilian and security forces deaths, according to the Center for Research and Development for Security (CRSS). Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces were the main hotbeds of violence, accounting for more than 90% of all deaths and 84% of attacks, including terrorist activities and security forces operations.