28 killed in two blasts in Balochistan

QUETTA:  At least 28 people were killed and over 40 others injured Wednesday in two separate blasts targeting election candidates in Balochistan, just a day before the general elections.

The first attack claimed at least 15 people’s lives while over 30 were injured after an explosion took place outside an independent candidate’s office in Balochistan’s Pishin while the second blast took place outside the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) office in the Qila Saifullah district.

The Pishin blast took place outside the political office of independent candidate Asfand Yar Khan Kakar in Khanozai area. 

Kakar is contesting elections from NA-265 constituency and Balochistan Assembly constituencies — PB-47 and PB-48 in the February 8 elections.

The second blast targeted the JUI-F office in the Qila Saifullah district.

At least 13 people were killed and 17 others injured in the second explosion, Balochistan Information Minister Achakzai said.

He said JUI-F leader Maulana Abdul Wassay, who is contesting elections from PB-3, remained unhurt in the attack.

According to the local officials, the severely injured persons are being shifted to Quetta.

Meanwhile, emergency has been declared at the Civil Hospital Quetta as the health facility is tackling a number of seriously wounded persons.

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