133 people killed, over 200 injured in twin election-related blasts in Pakistan

At least 133 people were killed and over 200 injured in two separate attacks on political rallies, ahead of the July 25 general election. 

Militants targeted a gathering of Balochistan Awami Party leader Siraj Raisani in Mastung area in Balochistan province, in which 128 people lost their lives yesterday.

Local media confirmed the death toll, quoting provincial Home Minister Agha Umar Bangalzai. He said more than 200 injured persons, some of them in critical condition, were under treatment at different hospitals in Quetta. The Islamic State terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack. This attack is the deadliest terror strike in Pakistan since a terror assault on an Army school in Peshawar in December 2014 in



which nearly 150 people, mostly students, were killed.

In another attack, a bomb hit an election rally of Akram Khan Durrani of Mutahida Majlis Amal in which five persons were killed and over 37 other injured in Bannu area of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. Durrani was unhurt in the attack.

The law and order has suddenly deteriorated ahead of the general elections in the country.

President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk condemned the attacks in separate statements.

On Monday, a suicide bomber killed Awami National Party leader and candidate in the general elections, Haroon Bilour and 19 others in Peshawar.