Jan 18 – A training center for polling staff in Pakistan’s Kharan district, Balochistan, was targeted by unidentified assailants ahead of the upcoming general elections, according to a report by Dawn. The incident occurred at the Government Model High School in Kharan, where polling staff were undergoing training.
The attack involved the hurling of a hand grenade into the school premises, which detonated in an open area within the building, resulting in damage to classroom windows but no injuries to the government officials and election commission staff who were receiving training. Law enforcement personnel, including the police, swiftly responded to the scene, securing the area and launching an investigation.
The attackers, who were riding a motorcycle, managed to escape after the assault. Security forces subsequently initiated a search operation, though no arrests have been reported at this time.
In anticipation of the upcoming general elections, the Sindh government in Pakistan has implemented a 45-day ban on the carrying and display of weapons throughout the province, as reported by ARY News. Notably, this ban excludes the police, rangers, law enforcement agencies, and registered security guards who are permitted to carry firearms while on duty.
In a separate incident in Balochistan’s Kech district, five Pakistani soldiers lost their lives when a security vehicle was targeted by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by terrorists, as reported by ARY News. The attack prompted retaliatory fire by security forces, resulting in the elimination of three terrorists in the Buleda area.
