At least 20 people have lost their lives in two bomb explosions in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on the eve of general elections, according to officials.
The initial blast claimed 12 lives in front of an independent candidate’s party office in Pishin district.
Another explosion occurred in Qillah Saif Ullah district, 150km away, resulting in eight casualties.
Many others sustained injuries in both incidents.
Violence and allegations of election manipulation have marred the electoral process.
No group has claimed responsibility for the Pishin attack, while details of the second blast are still emerging.
Social media images depict the aftermath of the explosions, showing vehicles destroyed by the force of the blasts.
The first blast occurred outside the election office of a local independent candidate, who officials say was meeting his polling agent at the time.
Recent weeks have seen a surge in violent incidents in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces leading up to Thursday’s vote.
Police are investigating the causes of the blasts, and the injured have been transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite the attacks, the Balochistan government has affirmed that the election will proceed as scheduled.
Provincial information minister Jan Achakzai stated, “Rest assured, we will not allow terrorists to undermine or sabotage this crucial democratic process.”
Source-BBC
