World | Pakistan
Bomb blasts hit Pakistani cities as elections begin
Pakistanis begin voting in general elections as shootings and explosions rock cities in the country.
- By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief
- Published: 11:12 February 18, 2008
- Image Credit: Reuters
- Election workers struggle with each other as they try to pick ballot boxes for their district in Lahore.
Islamabad: Pakistanis began voting in general elections on Monday as incidents of violence were reported in different cities across the country.
Bomb explosions hit Sawat, Quetta, and some cities in Sindh Province. Security forces are in high alert to keep the situation under control. Police have been given orders to shoot and kill. A number of roads have been closed to traffic.
In Rawalpindi, a stray bullet hit a woman and injured her critically. In Dadu district, police have arrested two men for trying to cast bogus votes.
In Lahore, unidentified gunmen opened fire on an election camp of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party early on Monday, killing a candidate, his bodyguard and a supporter.
Unidentified gunmen also opened fire on the election camp of the Pakistan Muslim League (Qaid-E-Azam). Nobody was reported hurt in the incident.
In Quetta, two explosions were heard, and another bomb exploded near the women's polling station in Landi Kotal. Voting in Parachinar was postponed due to security fears.
In Jackababad, unidentified gunmen tried to snatch ballot papers from polling staff in Thal area. The gunmen later escaped while firing into air with automatic weapons.
In Muchh, miscreants destroyed railway track using some explosive device. Fighting between workers of rival political parties is also being reported across the country.
Related Links
- Polls open for Pakistani vote
- Pakistan set for general elections
- Pakistani election candidate shot dead
- Musharraf vows polls 'as planned'
- Post-election scenarios in Pakistan
- Poorest do not expect to see any change
- 1,000 foreign observers to monitor elections
- Mixed reactions from voters
- Timeline: Pakistan general elections
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