Pakistan: IED attack leaves at least four wounded in Chaman July 20

Event

At least four people were wounded in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Chaman (Balochistan province) on Friday, July 20. The remote-controlled bomb reportedly targeted a law enforcement agency (LEA) vehicle on patrol on Mall Road and damaged at least ten shops and several vehicles; the explosion came after a security alert was issued earlier on Friday morning (local time), forcing the postponement of a scheduled Awami National Party (ANP) rally in the city. Security forces cordoned off the area following the attack. No claim of responsibility was immediately reported.

Lingering traffic disruptions are possible near the incident site in the coming hours. Additional militant attacks, including on political candidates and gatherings, are possible ahead of the July 25 general elections.

Context

A series of militant attacks on election-related gatherings have escalated tensions in Pakistan and have killed hundreds of people in recent weeks, calling into question the ability of security forces to ensure the security of voters during the July 25 elections. On July 13, Islamic State (IS) militants killed at least 149 people, including a Balochistan Awami Party candidate, and wounded some 186 others in a suicide bombing attack in Mastung (Balochistan province). The same day, at least five people were killed and 37 others were wounded in a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attack on an election rally in Bannu (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province); the Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen group claimed responsibility for the attack. On July 10, a Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) suicide bomber attacked an ANP rally in Peshawar (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province), killing at least 22 people, including the ANP candidate for the provincial assembly, and wounding 75 others.

Additionally, some candidates have cautioned that the Pakistani army and intelligence services have threatened members of their political parties in the run-up to the vote, with election observers warning that the integrity of the elections may suffer as a result.

Advice

Individuals in Pakistan, particularly in Chaman and Balochistan province, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, 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.