Five killed as violence mars Pakistan election; mobile services suspend

At least five people were killed in militant attacks in Pakistan on Thursday (Feb 8) as the country voted in a general election after temporarily suspending mobile phone services

At least five people were killed in militant attacks in Pakistan on Thursday (Feb 8) as the country voted in a general election after temporarily suspending mobile phone services 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 messaging platform X.

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