A devastating terrorist attack in Mastung, Pakistan in the south-western province of Balochistan, has left 149 people dead and more than 180 injured at a campaign rally in what is now Pakistan’s second largest terrorist attack since the nation gained its independence in 1947.
Local officials confirmed that the Mastung attacker had detonated a bomb inside a crowded area where a general campaign rally for candidate Siraj Raisani, who was running for a seat in the provincial legislature, was being held, effectively killing himself with the initial blast. The majority of those injured have been taken to Quetta Civil Hospital, where many are recovering from serious burn injuries.
In response, the Balochistan government announced two days of mourning for the victims and ordered that the national flag be hoisted at half-staff. Political parties in the province have decided to suspend any future political activities.
However, despite the high body count, this latest incursion hasn’t garnered as much attention as past terrorist attacks. One possible reason may be the minimal impact the Balochistan province, where Mastung is located, has on the outcomes of the election. The province’s population only accounts for just 4% of Pakistan’s population and therefore, its hand in the elections is minute and negligible.
This attack is but one in many blows the country has seen in the few past days amid growing tensions with the parliamentary election. Terrorists started achieving success in their attacks as the general elections day came closer. Officials deny any connection the attack may have with organized terrorist groups despite the Islamic State, ISIS and the Taliban all assuming responsibility for the attack.
As of now July has borne witness to three major attacks: Nawabzada Siraj Raisani– who was campaigning for an assembly seat in the southern province of Balochistan–was martyred in the recent bombing, Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, candidate Akram Durrani survived an assassination attempt on July 13, and Haider Ali Shikoh– Haroon Bilour the Awami National Party candidate– was murdered on July 10.
“It is an intelligence failure, but the attack was expected,” Mr. Amir Rana, a security analyst and director of the Pak Institute for Peace Studies, said. He also claims that despite the increased attacks, he does not see an immediate threat to the elections.
In retaliation, several surviving candidates have argued that their ability to campaign has indeed been affected because of the recent attacks. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party, was not able to attend an election event in northwestern Pakistan by the authorities, party officials said on Saturday. Due to the impact of recent attacks, Pakistan’s military has declared that it will deploy 371,000 troops to ensure a “fair and free” election.
Analysts worry that ongoing doubts about an unbiased election result as the military has been accused of secretly backing Imran Khan’s campaign and targeting his political opponents, may lead nuclear-armed Pakistan into a new period of violence and instability.
