The death toll in a bomb blast at a political rally held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan increased to 44 and over 100 persons suffered injuries. Based on a preliminary investigation, Pakistan police said that it was a suicide attack.
The attack happened during a convention of Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl party in Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Over 400 party workers had gathered for the convention.
KP Health Minister Riaz Anwar confirmed the death toll and The Dawn quoted him as saying, “It was a suicide attack, with the bomber detonating himself in close proximity to the stage.” he added.
According to reports, police have cordoned off the area and the injured were rushed in ambulances to hospitals in Peshawar and Timergera. The Dawn, quoting a district official reported that Maulana Ziaullah Jan, a key JUI-F leader in Khar, also passed away in the blast.
JUI-F leader Hafiz Hamdullah condemned the attack and demanded a probe into the incident. He called the attack an act of terrorism. Hamdullah urged the government to provide the best medical care for the injured.
The JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman demanded Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the province's caretaker Chief Minister Azam Khan to investigate the incident. He also urged the party workers to reach the hospital and donate blood.
"JUI workers should remain peaceful and federal and provincial governments should provide the best treatment to the injured," said Fazl.
Chief Minister Khan condemned the blast and sought a report from the district administration.
The condition of the majority of the injured people was stated to be critical. The nature of the blast is being determined. However, the initial report suggests it was a suicide blast.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the blasts and said in a statement, “Terrorists are enemies of Pakistan and they will be eliminated.”
