ISLAMABAD -A  devastating bomb blast ripped through an election office belonging to an independent candidate in the southwestern region of Pakistan on Wednesday, casting a shadow over the eve of parliamentary elections. The explosion, which occurred in the Pashin district of Baluchistan province, claimed the lives of at least 14 individuals and left more than two dozen others injured, according to officials.

Despite extensive security measures implemented ahead of the polls, including the deployment of tens of thousands of police and paramilitary forces, the attack underscores ongoing security challenges in Pakistan, particularly in Baluchistan. This gas-rich province, bordering Afghanistan and Iran, has long been plagued by a simmering insurgency led by Baluch nationalists, initially driven by demands for a greater share of provincial resources and later evolving into a push for independence.

In a separate incident, another explosion rocked the electoral landscape in Balochistan, this time near the office of a religious party, Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI), in Qilla Saifullah, near the Afghan border. The province's information minister confirmed the incident, raising further concerns about the safety of candidates and voters as the election draws near.

While no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, suspicions fall on various quarters, including Islamist militant factions like the Pakistani Taliban and separatist elements from Balochistan, both of which have targeted state institutions and political entities in recent months.

The timing of these attacks, occurring just as political parties concluded their campaigns in accordance with electoral regulations, adds a layer of tension to an already charged atmosphere. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently incarcerated, urged his supporters to remain vigilant at polling stations, highlighting concerns about alleged military interference in the electoral process.

As the country braces for the crucial vote, electoral frontrunners such as Nawaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari rally their respective supporters, each vying for a decisive victory amid a backdrop of security threats and economic challenges.