Suicide Bomber Kills 44 at Political Rally in Northwestern Pakistan (+Video)
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A suicide bomber detonated explosives at a political rally of the conservative Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) party in Bajaur district, Pakistan, killing at least 44 people and wounding nearly 200, according to officials.
The blast occurred on the outskirts of Khar, which borders Afghanistan, and targeted a gathering of senior party leaders. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, according to Al Jazeera.
Provincial police stated that initial investigations pointed to the Daesh (ISIL or ISIS) terrorist group as a potential perpetrator. The armed group has been active in neighboring Afghanistan and known to cross the border into Pakistan.
Emergency has been declared in hospitals in Bajaur and adjacent areas, where most of the wounded were taken. Critically injured victims were transported by military helicopters to hospitals in Peshawar.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and extended condolences to the victims' families. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and emphasized the need to eliminate terrorists and their facilitators.
The bombing is one of the deadliest attacks in northwestern Pakistan since 2014. The Pakistani Taliban distanced itself from the attack, and the Afghan Taliban also condemned it.
The JUI-F party has been targeted by the Daesh terror group in the past two years, with tensions also involving the Afghan Taliban. The motive behind the attack may be linked to upcoming parliamentary elections.
Party leaders called for a thorough investigation, compensation, and medical support for the affected victims.
