Taliban threatens to carry out attacks on poll stations

The Pakistani Taliban has threatened on Friday to carry out widespread attacks, including suicide bombings, during general elections to take place on Saturday, describing it as the "infidel system" of democracy.

Meanwhile, Pakistani intelligence officials said that two bombs targeting the offices of candidates running in this weekend's election have killed three people in northwest Pakistan.

Officials said 15 people also were wounded in the blasts Friday in Miran Shah, the main town in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal area.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Militants have killed at least 130 people in attacks on candidates and party workers since the beginning of April in an attempt to hamper the vote.

It was unclear exactly which candidates were targeted in the latest attack since several have offices in the block where the explosions occurred.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but suspicions will likely fall on the Pakistani Taliban.


AP/LBCI