32 killed from blast near polling station in Quetta
The attack came amid polling process in the area. --- File Photo
QUETTA (Dunya News) - At least 32 people including the Station House Officer (SHO) were killed and dozens wounded in a blast near Tameer-i-Nau polling station in Quetta on Wednesday.
According to details, the suspected suicide attack occurred near eastern bypass. DIG Quetta Abdur Razzaq Cheema remained safe in the attack.
"The bomber was trying to enter the polling station. When police tried to stop him he blew himself up," a local administration official in Quetta, Hashim Ghilzai, told AFP.
Dr Wasim Baig, spokesman for the Sandeman Provincial Hospital in Quetta, said the death toll had risen to 31 after two people succumbed to their injuries.
Security officials and rescue teams arrived at the crime scene after the blast. The area has been cordoned off and a search operation has been initiated.
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) while condemning the attack has summoned report from Balochistan government.
Balochistan suffered the brunt of a series of attacks that killed more than 180 people across Pakistan during the brief but acrimonious election campaign, including a devastating blast which killed 153 people this month, and was Pakistan s deadliest ever suicide attack.
The blast, which struck a crowd at a political rally, also killed local politician Siraj Raisani. He was one of three election candidates killed by militant attacks in Pakistan during the election campaign.
An earlier attack in Balochistan on Wednesday left one policeman dead and three wounded when a hand grenade was thrown at a polling station in the village of Koshk, in Khuzdar district.
Caretaker PM assures full cooperation
Caretaker Prime Minister Justice (retd) Nasir ul Mulk telephoned Chief Minister Balochistan Alauddin Marri and assured full cooperation by the federal government in investigating the suicide blast.
The Prime Minsiter inquired about the details of the tragic incident and strongly condemned it. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives and offered condolences to the bereaved families.
Voting continues across Pakistan
Voting for the landmark 2018 general elections is underway across the country on Wednesday during which the voters will exercise their right to vote to elect 270 members of the National Assembly and a total of 570 members of four provincial assemblies for the next five-year term (2018-2023).
The polling started at 8am in the morning and will continue till 6pm in the evening without any break. It is the first time that the polling time has been extended by one hour for the convenience of voters.
There is public holiday today while strict security measures have been taken all across the country. The military has stationed over 370,000 personnel across Pakistan to ensure security for the election, bolstered by an additional 450,000 police.
