Nine killed Dozen Injured in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan Election Violence - Pakistan

Defense News ,Baluchistan :- A series of violent incidents unfolded on Thursday, claiming at least nine lives and leaving over a dozen injured across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Dera Ismail Khan district and various districts of Baluchistan, according to a report by Dawn.

In Dera Ismail Khan, an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion within the jurisdiction of Kulachi police station resulted in the martyrdom of five police personnel, with two others sustaining injuries. The incident occurred during a patrol in the Gara Aslam area for election security. Militants ambushed the police vehicle, triggering the explosive device and opening fire. The attackers managed to escape when additional police forces arrived. The area was immediately cordoned off, and a search operation commenced. The martyred and injured were transported to the district headquarters hospital.

The deceased police personnel were identified as Sulman Yousaf, Sabir, Israr Ahmad, Ali Muhammad, and Driver Zeeshan, while the injured were identified as Jan Dost and Mushtaq.

Simultaneously, in Baluchistan's Gwadar, Kech, and Panjgur districts, polling stations faced grenade and rocket attacks, resulting in the loss of five police officers. The death toll also rose to 30 in Khanozai and Qila Saifullah due to bomb explosions.

Baluchistan Minister for Information Jan Achakzai confirmed the death toll and attributed the attacks to the Islamic State (Wilayah Pakistan), which claimed responsibility for targeting the election office of an independent candidate in Khanozai.

Despite the violence, polling in central, southern, and northern districts continued peacefully, albeit with heightened security measures. The incidents highlight the challenges encountered during the election process in specific regions, emphasizing the urgent need for increased security measures and vigilance to safeguard citizens and the integrity of electoral processes.