Blast in Quetta in Balochistan as Pakistan votes, several casualties feared

At least twenty five people have been killed and several others have been injured in a blast that took place in Pakistan-Occupied Balochistan's capital Quetta on Wednesday. The blast comes on a day when voting is underway for general elections in Pakistan. 

Suicide attack in Quetta. Ten martyred, dozens injured....
Stay strong....we knew this would happen..now we have to face it with courage. Don't start damaging Pakistan in protests...Khair insha'Allah.. pic.twitter.com/83osXZS6jf

— Zaid Hamid (@ZaidZamanHamid) July 25, 2018

The explosion took place at around 11:00 AM in Quetta's NA-260 constituency. The blast reportedly targeted a police vehicle. The injured have been moved to Sandeman Provincial Hospital. 

Police said that the suicide bomber wanted to enter the polling station. "The suicide bomber blew himself up when police and FC personnel stopped him from entering the station," a police spokesperson said. The bomb disposal squad also reached the site of the attack after there were reports that an unexploded grenade has been discovered.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leader and Senator-elect Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar condemned the incident and added that terrorists will never succeed. "I strongly condemn the terrorist attack on 2018 election "voters" in Quetta today which has taken many precious lives & left numerous injured. Gift must check these continuous terrorist attacks in Balochistan. Terrorists will never succeed! (sic)," he tweeted soon after the attack.

A record number of 371,388 troops have been deployed at polling stations to maintain law and order during voting. Polling began at 8 am and will continue till 6 pm.