QUETTA: Tuesday’s bombing at a PTI rally in Sibi, Balochistan, left at least four persons dead and five injured, according to police and medical sources.
Dr. Babar, the medical supervisor of Sibi’s District Headquarters Hospital, verified the casualties and injuries. Nine days remain before the national elections on February 8th, when the tragedy occurs.
Zakaullah Gujjar, the Sibi Station House Officer (SHO), stated that the injured individuals were being sent to the Civil Hospital. He voiced concerns that the number of deaths could increase and stated that the majority of them were in serious condition.
Gujjar stated that as soon as the incident was reported, security personnel arrived at the bomb scene and roped it off. He said, “A bomb disposal squad is gathering evidence from the crime scene.”
Separately, the PTI reported that the explosion happened at an electoral rally hosted by Saddam Tareen, a candidate supported by the party and running from the NA-253 (Ziarat) seat in the upcoming polls.
According to the report, Tareen was unharmed in the incident, but three PTI employees died and seven others were injured.
The party wrote on social media site X, “We strongly condemn this heartbreaking incident and demand that attention should be given to suppressing terrorists instead of PTI workers.”
The event was referred to by the party as a “criminal failure” of the national and local administrations.
“To bring those responsible to justice, a thorough investigation of the incident and an examination of the supervising governments’ criminal negligence should be conducted,” the statement stated.
The party questioned why, in spite of a high alert, there was no security for the demonstration.
