Iran Press/ Asia: At least five people were killed in militant attacks in Pakistan on Thursday as people participated in general elections.
Days before the election violence engulfed across country Pakistan's government temporarily suspended mobile phone services and closed 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.
ISIS later claimed responsibility for those attacks.
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.
Four policemen were killed in a bomb blast and fire targeting a police patrol in the Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan district in the northwest during the day, local police chief Rauf Qaisrani said.
One person was killed when gunmen opened fire on a security forces vehicle in Tank, about 40 km (25 miles) to the north.
Besides militant violence, the election is also being held in the midst of a deep economic crisis and in a highly polarised political environment, and many analysts believe no clear winner may emerge.
Unofficial first results in the election are expected a few hours after voting closes at 5 p.m. and a clearer picture is likely to emerge early on Friday.
The main contests are expected to be between candidates backed by Imran Khan former Prime Minister who is jailed, whose party won the last national election, and the Pakistan Muslim League of three-time premier Nawaz Sharif, who is considered the front-runner.
Bhutto Zardari has also run an aggressive campaign in an outside bid for the top office.
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