At least five killed in violent Pakistan elections

At least five people were killed in militant attacks as Pakistan held a general election on Thursday after temporarily suspending mobile phone services across the country and closing some land borders to maintain law and order.

The interior ministry said it took the steps after at least 26 people were killed in two explosions near electoral candidates' offices in the southwestern province of Balochistan on Wednesday. Islamic State later claimed responsibility for those attacks.

"As a result of the recent incidents of terrorism in the country, precious lives have been lost. Security measures are essential to maintain the law and order situation and deal with possible threats," the ministry said in a post on X.

Thousands of troops were deployed on the streets and at polling stations across the country, and borders with Iran and Afghanistan were temporarily closed.

Four policemen were killed in a bomb blast and fire targeting a police patrol in the Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan district in the northwest, local police chief Rauf Qaisrani said.

One person was killed when gunmen opened fire on a security forces vehicle in Tank about 40 km (25 miles) to the north.

Grenade attacks were also reported in different parts of Balochistan, but polling remained unaffected since there were no casualties, Saeed Ahmed Umrani, commissioner of the Makran division, told Reuters.

Despite the security worries and bitter winter cold, long queues began forming at polling stations hours before voting started.

Besides militant violence, the election is also being held amid a deep economic crisis and in a highly polarised political environment, and many analysts believe no clear winner may emerge.

Reuters