Pakistan: Bomb explodes near polling station in Quetta July 25 /update 2

Event

An explosive device detonated near a polling station in Quetta on Wednesday, July 25. The attack occurred in the Bhosa Mandi area, near the Eastern Bypass. According to initial media reports, a senior police official was traveling through the area when the bomb exploded. At least 28 people were killed and another 30 wounded in the blast. Unconfirmed reports claimed that the attack was conducted by a suicide bomber. Details are still emerging. Additional militant attacks, including on political candidates and gatherings, are possible during voting on July 25.

Context

Pakistani officials announced plans to implement heightened security measures ahead of the Pakistani general elections on Wednesday, July 25, following recent deadly militant attacks on election-related gatherings in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. Pakistani police will reportedly bolster security for candidates and party leaders in the days before the vote; additionally, hundreds of thousands of soldiers will be deployed to polling stations on July 23-26 to provide security - almost six times the number deployed for the 2013 general elections.

Advice

Individuals in Quetta are advised to avoid the area of the blast and remain vigilant.

More generally, individuals in Pakistan are advised to avoid all polling places, demonstrations, and political gatherings as a precaution, remain vigilant for militant activity, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.