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Pakistan election: More than 100 die in bomb attacks on poll rallies Pakistan election: More than 100 die in bomb attacks on poll rallies
(35 minutes later)
A suicide bomber has killed at least 128 people and injured more than 150 in an attack on a campaign rally in south-western Pakistan, officials say. A suicide bomber has killed at least 128 people at a campaign rally in south-western Pakistan - the deadliest attack in the country since 2014.
An election candidate was among the dead in the town of Mastung. So-called Islamic State (IS) claimed the attack. A local candidate was among the dead in the Mastung town, police say. So-called Islamic State (IS) claimed the attack.
Earlier, a bomb attack on a similar rally in the northern town of Bannu killed four people. The attacks come ahead of general elections on 25 July.Earlier, a bomb attack on a similar rally in the northern town of Bannu killed four people. The attacks come ahead of general elections on 25 July.
Meanwhile, former PM Nawaz Sharif was arrested after flying home from the UK.Meanwhile, former PM Nawaz Sharif was arrested after flying home from the UK.
Sharif and his daughter Maryam were taken into custody by officials from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) after landing in the northern city of Lahore. They were then put on a chartered plane bound for Pakistan's capital Islamabad.Sharif and his daughter Maryam were taken into custody by officials from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) after landing in the northern city of Lahore. They were then put on a chartered plane bound for Pakistan's capital Islamabad.
They were later transferred to a local prison.They were later transferred to a local prison.
The three-term PM was ousted last year after a corruption investigation. Last week he was sentenced in absentia to 10 years in prison.The three-term PM was ousted last year after a corruption investigation. Last week he was sentenced in absentia to 10 years in prison.
He has accused Pakistan's powerful security establishment of conspiring against him ahead of the elections.He has accused Pakistan's powerful security establishment of conspiring against him ahead of the elections.
What is known about Friday's attacks?What is known about Friday's attacks?
The attack in Mastung was the deadliest such incident in Pakistan since 2014. More than 150 people were injured in Mastung, officials say.
Among those killed was Baluchistan provincial assembly candidate Siraj Raisani, his family said. He was a candidate for the Balochistan Awami party.Among those killed was Baluchistan provincial assembly candidate Siraj Raisani, his family said. He was a candidate for the Balochistan Awami party.
Local officials say the attacker detonated a bomb inside a crowded compound where the campaign rally was being held.Local officials say the attacker detonated a bomb inside a crowded compound where the campaign rally was being held.
"Human remains and red bloody pieces of flesh were littered everywhere in the compound," local journalist Attah Ullah was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency."Human remains and red bloody pieces of flesh were littered everywhere in the compound," local journalist Attah Ullah was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
"Injured people were crying in pain and fear," the journalist said."Injured people were crying in pain and fear," the journalist said.
IS militants later used their news outlet to claim the group carried out the attack.IS militants later used their news outlet to claim the group carried out the attack.
IS has carried out a number of attacks in the region bordering Afghanistan in recent years. However, security has improved since the military managed to clear large swathes of territory.IS has carried out a number of attacks in the region bordering Afghanistan in recent years. However, security has improved since the military managed to clear large swathes of territory.
Friday's bombing was the deadliest attack since militants from the Pakistani Taliban assaulted an army-run school in Peshawar in December 2014, killing 141 people, 132 of them children.
Earlier in the day, a campaign convoy of another candidate was attacked in Bannu.Earlier in the day, a campaign convoy of another candidate was attacked in Bannu.
Akram Khan Durrani, who represents the MMA party, was unhurt, officials say.Akram Khan Durrani, who represents the MMA party, was unhurt, officials say.
No group has so far claimed responsibility for that attack.No group has so far claimed responsibility for that attack.
Secular parties targetedSecular parties targeted
By BBC's M Ilyas Khan in IslamabadBy BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad
These attacks are unexpected as they come amid claims by the army that militants have been cleared from Pakistan's western regions on the Afghan border, which have become a sanctuary for the Taliban.These attacks are unexpected as they come amid claims by the army that militants have been cleared from Pakistan's western regions on the Afghan border, which have become a sanctuary for the Taliban.
Before the 2013 elections, militants had issued early warnings, resulting in a muted campaign by targeted secular parties. Those parties lost the poll by wide margins.Before the 2013 elections, militants had issued early warnings, resulting in a muted campaign by targeted secular parties. Those parties lost the poll by wide margins.
Those same parties and groups appear to be targets again.Those same parties and groups appear to be targets again.
These latest attacks may also trigger a new set of tensions ahead of an election already marred by controversy.These latest attacks may also trigger a new set of tensions ahead of an election already marred by controversy.
Significantly, the attacks come in the aftermath of the conviction of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by an anti-corruption court.Significantly, the attacks come in the aftermath of the conviction of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by an anti-corruption court.
Friday's attacks came just hours before Sharif flew in from the UK to Lahore, and the city is under a lockdown ordered by authorities to prevent his supporters from staging a huge welcome for him.Friday's attacks came just hours before Sharif flew in from the UK to Lahore, and the city is under a lockdown ordered by authorities to prevent his supporters from staging a huge welcome for him.
On Tuesday, a suicide bomber hit a campaign gathering in the northern city of Peshawar, killing 22 people - including a provincial candidate.On Tuesday, a suicide bomber hit a campaign gathering in the northern city of Peshawar, killing 22 people - including a provincial candidate.
The Pakistani Taliban said it had carried out that attack.The Pakistani Taliban said it had carried out that attack.
What about Sharif's return?What about Sharif's return?
Tensions across Pakistan have been rising ahead of the former prime minister's arrival in Lahore.Tensions across Pakistan have been rising ahead of the former prime minister's arrival in Lahore.
Clashes are reported to have broken out between Sharif supporters and security forces at the main highway entry-point to the city.Clashes are reported to have broken out between Sharif supporters and security forces at the main highway entry-point to the city.
Thousands of police officers were earlier deployed and shipping containers placed on some main roads.Thousands of police officers were earlier deployed and shipping containers placed on some main roads.
On Thursday, Sharif's PML-N party said hundreds of activists in Lahore had been detained ahead of Sharif's return.On Thursday, Sharif's PML-N party said hundreds of activists in Lahore had been detained ahead of Sharif's return.
Sharif's lawyers hope that his return to Pakistan will enable him to file an appeal against his conviction.Sharif's lawyers hope that his return to Pakistan will enable him to file an appeal against his conviction.
Pakistan's general electionPakistan's general election