4 die in Sibi blast near PTI election rally

QUETTA: Four people died and five others were injured critically in an explosion in Sibi near Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) election rally, officials said Tuesday.

Local police said the explosion, the nature of which is yet to be determined, occurred at the city’s Jinnah Road, reported Geo News. Civil Hospital’s Medical Superintendent Dr Shahid said that three injured people are in “critical condition”, noting that an emergency has been imposed in the facility following the incident.

The deadly explosion comes just eight days before the February 8 general elections, with security heightened across the country and law enforcers deployed to ensure the law and order situation. Sibi Deputy Commissioner Khuda-e-Rahim confirmed that the blast took place as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf rally was passing through the city.

PTI Balochistan spokesperson Nazeer Achakzai has also confirmed the death of three party workers in the blast that targeted the rally being held by one of its candidates.

Reacting to the incident, caretaker Balochistan Minister for Information Jan Achakzai expressed condolences to the victims’ families.

The minister underscored that the upcoming polls would proceed as per the schedule, adding that the attack was aimed at discouraging the provincial government from holding the elections.

Separately, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), taking notice of the incident, has sought a report from the provincial police chief. The attack comes in the backdrop of increased terrorist attacks that have plagued Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces in recent months.

With more than 128 million voters, various circles have raised concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the country, especially in the aforementioned provinces, with some lawmakers even moving the Senate seeking poll delay in light of security threats.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack in a post on its Telegram channel, according to Reuters.