With less than a week left before general elections on May 11, the electoral process remained under attack with candidates and offices of several political parties attacked and schools to be used as polling stations blown up in violence reported from across the country on Monday.
JUI-F MEETING BOMBED
At least 15 persons were killed and more than 70 others were injured in a deadly bombing at an election rally of a Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) candidate at Saiwaak village in Kurram Agency.
The JUI-F candidate and former leader of tribal parliamentarians group, Muneer Orakzai remained safe. Orakzai is contesting from NA-38 constituency of Kurram Agency.
A few minutes after the conclusion of the rally, a huge explosion occurred as Orakzai and other JUI-F leaders were exiting the stage.
Soon after the explosion, tribesmen started rescue activities and shifted the injured to a hospital in Parachanar. They said that the explosion was so severe that eight people were killed on the spot and over 50 others were critically injured. An official later confirmed death of at least 15 people and said 45 injured had been admitted to local hospitals.
About the nature of the explosion, the official said that terrorists had planted the explosives near the stage. He said it was an improvised explosive device (IED).
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, officials believe that Taliban terrorists were involved in the attack.
NP CANDIDATE ESCAPES GRENADE ATTACK
Unidentified men hurled hand grenades at the convoy of National Party (NP) candidate Dr Abdul Malik Baloch who is contesting for provincial assembly seat PB-48.
Sources said a passerby was injured when Dr Malik’s security guard fired shots at the fleeing attackers who managed to escape from the scene. The candidate, however, remained unhurt in the blast.
PPP CANDIDATE ATTACKED
A bomb blast targeting an election office of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in Charsadda’s Shabqadar Mirzai area injured a man. The party’s office was completely destroyed in the attack.
POLLING STATIONS BLOWN UP ACROSS BALOCHISTAN
Four buildings, including three polling stations and a health unit, were blown up by unidentified militants across the province .According to details, two girls’ primary schools, which were made polling stations and a dispensary were attacked with bombs and rockets at Nehr Goth in district Barkhan of Balochistan late Sunday night. However, no loss of life was reported. The building was partially damaged, Levies sources said.
In another incident, a school was blown up by a bomb in Mastung area of Balochistan.
TERROR BID FOILED
Security forces foiled a terror bid when two suspected terrorists were arrested and a large quantity of explosives was seized from their custody in Quetta.
According to details, after receiving an anonymous tip-off, the security forces raided the Kuchlak area of the city.
Two suspects were arrested during the raid and over 100 kilogrammes of explosives, detonators, and remote controls were seized from their custody. The arrested suspects were moved to an unknown location by security forces for interrogation.
