Blast at election rally kills 15 in Pakistan

A blast at an election rally organised by a religious party in Pakistan killed 15 people on Monday, officials said. The attack at a gathering of members of the Jamiat Ulema-e- Islam party wounded 40 people, said the officials. One official said a suicide bomber blew himself at the gathering. There was no claim of responsibility. The polls mark the first time that an election is being held to decide on a transition between civilian governments. The military has ruled Pakistan for more than half of its 66-year history, either through coups or from behind the scenes. But the violence has marred the election, with some candidates afraid to campaign.