The Islamic State group carried out two lethal bombings on Wednesday in southwestern Pakistan, occurring just before a national election.
The Islamic State group claimed two deadly bombings Wednesday in southwestern Pakistan on the eve of a national election. IS fighters detonated an explosives-rigged motorbike “in the middle of an election gathering … in the Killa Saifullah area in Balochistan” province, the group said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app, not long after claiming a similar attack in the province’s Pishin district.
Two separate bomb blasts claimed the lives of at least 24 people outside election candidates’ offices in southwestern Pakistan, just before a national vote plagued by violence and accusations of rigging.
“Despite today’s blasts, the election will take place tomorrow. The people of Balochistan will come out tomorrow without any fear,” assured Jan Achakzai, the caretaker Information Minister of the Balochistan province.
The incidents add to a series of security breaches, including the shooting of candidates. The bombings aimed to disrupt the election, according to Achakzai.
The attacks occurred in the resource-rich Balochistan province, known for militant activity.
The escalating violence marks a grim backdrop for an already contentious election, with allegations of pre-poll rigging and a deeply divided nation facing economic challenges.
Security concerns are highlighted, with a significant increase in militant attacks reported over the past year. The winning party will face a divided nation grappling with a troubled economy, including nearly 30% inflation, a depreciating rupee and a frozen balance-of-payments deficit impacting industrial growth.
With AFP
