In Sibi, Balochistan, three individuals lost their lives, and five others sustained injuries in an explosion, as reported by officials on Tuesday. The incident, categorized as a terrorist strike in the volatile province of Pakistan, occurred on Jinnah Road in the city. Dr. Shahid, the Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital, mentioned that three of the injured are in critical condition, prompting the imposition of an emergency at the facility.
The tragic event unfolded just eight days before the scheduled February 8 general elections, leading to heightened security measures nationwide. Law enforcement personnel were deployed to maintain order. Sibi’s Deputy Commissioner, Khuda-e-Rahim, confirmed that the blast coincided with a rally organized by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
Nazeer Achakzai, the spokesperson for PTI Balochistan, acknowledged the loss of three party workers during the rally. In response, Jan Achakzai, the caretaker Balochistan Minister for Information, expressed condolences to the victims’ families. He emphasized that the elections would proceed as planned, viewing the attack as an attempt to deter the provincial government from conducting the elections.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) reacted to the incident by seeking a report from the provincial police chief. This attack adds to the growing number of terrorist incidents in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces in recent months, raising concerns about the deteriorating security situation. Some lawmakers have even proposed delaying the polls due to security threats, given the more than 128 million voters in the country.
This unfortunate incident follows the elimination of six terrorists, including Doda Baloch and Pardan Baloch, by security forces in Balochistan’s Mach area. The terrorists had targeted the city with gunfire and 15 rockets, causing damage to various locations, including Mach Jail Colony, Levies police station, FC headquarters, and the city itself. Firing incidents were also reported in Kolpur and Gokhart Bibi Nani areas, leading to at least 13 injured individuals being transferred to Quetta for medical assistance.
