Gunmen detonated a bomb and subsequently launched an attack on a police van, resulting in the tragic death of five officers and injuring two others in Pakistan’s northwest on Thursday (February 8), reported Associate Press. According to local police official Khalid Khan, the officers were deployed for security duties in the Dera Ismail Khan district during Thursday’s parliamentary elections. While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the area has a history of being a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban, known for targeting police forces.

Additionally, a temporary suspension of mobile phone services has been put in place in Pakistan on Thursday as the country starts national election voting, the interior ministry mentioned. The country has also shut its land borders as it beefed up security for voters in a general election that has been preceded by a surge in militant violence.

The decision is aimed at strengthening security amidst a rise in militant attacks in the run-up to the election. Recently, jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan urged his supporters to wait outside polling booths after voting until results are announced.

“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, hence the temporary suspension of mobile services across the country,” the interior ministry said in a message on X.

Nawaz Sharif casts vote at polling station in Lahore

According to a report from ARY News, Nawaz Sharif, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, exercised his voting right at a polling station in Lahore on Thursday. He was accompanied by his daughter, Maryam Nawaz. Addressing reporters after casting his vote, Sharif expressed satisfaction with the security measures in place and emphasized that the destiny of Pakistan rests in the hands of its people. He further stated, “Given the opportunity, we will work together to develop Pakistan.”

Former PM Imran Khan votes by postal ballot

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, along with other prominent incarcerated political figures, exercised their voting rights through postal ballot from jail. However, Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, couldn’t participate in the voting process as she was convicted and arrested after the postal voting had concluded, as per PTI reports.

Among the political leaders who managed to cast their votes by mail were former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid, and former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, as reported by sources from Adiala Jail on Wednesday. In total, fewer than 100 prisoners from Adiala Jail were able to vote, representing just about one percent of the prison’s 7,000 inmates.

Blasts near polling stations

On Wednesday, two bomb blasts rocked polling offices, killing 26 people in the southwestern province of Balochistan. Terror outfit Islamic State claimed responsibility for the blasts in a message on its Telegram channel.

Further, several other groups, including the Islamist Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and separatist Baloch militants oppose the Pakistani state and have also carried out attacks in recent months.

Country on high alert 

Pakistan is on high alert with tens of thousands of troops and paramilitary soldiers on duty across the country, including at polling stations.

Notably, the country has also mentioned that it is closing its borders with Iran and Afghanistan for the day for security purposes during the general elections, Dawn reported 

Key candidates in Pak elections 

The main contests are expected to be between candidates backed by Imran Khan, whose Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party won the last national election, and the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) of three-time premier Nawaz Sharif, who is considered the front-runner in the polling. 

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the 35-year-old son of former Pak prime minister Benazir Bhutto, has also run an aggressive campaign in an outside bid for the top office.

As per analysts, there may be no clear winner but Pakistan’s powerful generals could play a role. Pakistan’s military has dominated the nuclear-armed country either directly or indirectly in its 76 years of independence but for several years it has maintained it does not interfere in politics.

The first picture of the election result is expected to be out after voting closes at 5 p.m. (1200 GMT) and a clear picture is likely to emerge early on Friday.