Two separate explosions targeting political candidates hit Pakistan on the eve of the national elections. The blasts killed at least 28 and injured 40 others in the cities of Qila Saifullah and Pishin in Balochistan, on February 7. Harrowing footage depicts the aftermath as mangled bodies lay on the ground while the surroundings were strewn with debris. In a press conference, Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai said that the Interim Balochistan Chief Minister, Mir Ali Mardan Domki, has declared a three-day period of mourning to honour those killed in both incidents. The first explosion took place outside the office of an independent candidate in Pishin, Balochistan, claiming the lives of at least 14 individuals and injuring 25 others. The second blast occurred outside the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) office in the Killa Saifullah area. The Pishin explosion unfolded in the Khanozai neighbourhood, near the political office of independent candidate Asfand Yar Khan Kakar. Kakar is running for the NA-265 seat, as well as the PB-47 and PB-48 Balochistan Assembly seats in the upcoming elections on February 8. The deceased have been transferred to a mortuary, while the injured have been taken to the Tehsil Hospital Khanozai for medical treatment. According to Jumma Dad Mandokhail, the deputy commissioner for the district, the incident occurred outside Asfandyar Kakar's election office. Kakar, an independent candidate, was seeking votes from PB-47 (Pishin 1). Jumma reported that the hospital at the Tehsil headquarters received 14 bodies and 23 injured individuals. Dr. Habib Kakar, the hospital's medical supervisor, later informed local media that four of the injured patients had tragically succumbed to their wounds, bringing the total number of fatalities to 18. According to DC Mandokhail, an explosive substance was concealed within a nearby motorcycle that had been parked in the vicinity. In response, the police, bomb disposal squad, and various law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area and commenced the collection of evidence. In a statement, Malik Abid Kakar, President of the Quetta Bar Association, expressed profound sorrow and grief over the tragic loss of innocent lives in the Pishin and Qila Saifullah blasts. He has also slammed the government and law enforcement agencies for their alleged negligence. He said in a statement: 'We express deep sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of innocent people in the blasts of Pishin and Qila Saifullah. 'Government and law enforcement agencies have completely failed. They have abandoned their responsibilities and are busy with other activities.' Deputy Commissioner Yasar Bazai said that most of the injured individuals were in critical condition. Speaking to local media, he said: 'Helicopters are being sent from Quetta by the Balochstani government to evacuate the injured. 'A high warning has been issued for the entire district. The bomb disposal squad team arrived at the incident site to determine the nature of the explosion.' Superintendent of Police (SSP) Akhtar Achakzai, in an interview with a local media, said investigations were still ongoing to determine the cause of the explosions. He added that the JUI-F candidate was not present at the election office at the time of the explosion. Highlighting the urgency of the situation, he said that Killa Saifullah has bolstered its security measures to prevent any further incidents.