Bomb blasts kill 22 outside Pakistan election offices — a day before polls

No fewer than 22 people have been killed and more injured after two bombs exploded in Pakistan’s south-western province of Balochistan.

The explosions occurred on Wednesday — a day before the country’s national elections — outside the offices of a candidate and a political party.

The first attack happened at the office of Asfandyar Khan Kakar, a candidate in Pishin district near the border with Afghanistan, claiming 12 lives.

The second bomb detonated in Qilla Saifullah, near an office of Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI), a religious party that has previously been the target of attacks, according to the province’s information minister.

The explosions come a week after a bomb blast hit an election rally in another district, killing five people.

Islamic State-Khorasan, a regional Islamic State affiliate, took credit for the bombing but no group is yet to claim responsibility for Wednesday’s attack.

Jan Achakzai, provincial government spokesperson, said “terrorists” would not be allowed to undermine the “crucial democratic process” in the country.

“It is important to emphasise that the scheduled elections will proceed as planned,” Achakzai added.

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Pakistani caretaker prime minister, also condemned the bombings and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring peaceful elections in the country, according to a statement released by his office in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital.

Pakistan has struggled to rein in surging militancy, especially in the former stronghold of the Taliban, in recent years.

Militants have presence in Balochistan, and have repeatedly targeted civilians.