PPP candidate’s home targeted in grenade attack; eight killed in Balochistan election violence

As the elections draw near, the law and order situation in Balochistan has deteriorated, with a surge in terrorist incidents across many districts of the province. More than two dozen attacks targeting Election Commission offices, election rallies, candidates, and their campaign offices have resulted in the deaths of eight individuals and injuries to 28 others.

In a disturbing incident, the house of Mir Abdul Rauf Rind, a PPP candidate contesting from PB-27 Kech, became the target of a grenade attack in Turbat.

Local authorities reported that the hand grenade exploded within the premises of the house, though fortunately, no damage was incurred in the blast.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear. The incident raises concerns about the safety and security of political candidates as the electoral atmosphere intensifies.

Law enforcement agencies have launched an investigation into the incident to identify the perpetrators and ascertain the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Mir Abdul Rauf Rind, undeterred by the attack, continues to represent the PPP in PB-27 Kech, emphasizing the need for a peaceful and secure electoral process despite such unsettling events.

Read more: Explosion rocks Karachi near ECP office, no causalities

Among the recent incidents, two explosions occurred near the election offices of Mazloom OLSI Tehreek Pakistan and JUI on the eastern bypass of Quetta, leaving three people injured.

On the other hand, according to police sources, the gate of the city police station in Nushki was targeted with a hand grenade attack, fortunately resulting in no injuries.

Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) and Pakistan Muslim League-N have jointly announced the cancellation of their planned election rallies in Sanjawi and Harnai.

Deputy Commissioner Ziarat, Hamudur Rahman, convened meetings with representative delegations from both parties, led by district presidents Maulvi Noorul Haq and Abdul Sattar Kakar of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and Pakistan Muslim League-N, respectively. Following discussions, it was unanimously decided to call off the scheduled election rally in Sanjawi.

In the past month alone, Balochistan has witnessed 15 explosions spanning nine districts. The attacks, which include bombings on election commission premises, campaign offices, rallies, and candidates, have claimed the lives of eight individuals, including police personnel, and wounded 28 others.