AT LEAST 39 KILLED, 200 INJURED IN BOMB BLAST AT POLITICAL RALLY IN NORTHWEST PAKISTAN

Sun 30 July 2023:

A massive explosion that swept through a political event in northwest Pakistan has left at least 39 people dead, local officials said.

On the outskirts of Khar in Pakistan’s northwest Bajur district, which borders Afghanistan, a gathering of the conservative Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) party was bombed on Sunday.

Caretaker Information Minister Feroze Jamal Shah Kakakhel told media that more than 200 people have been injured during the blast that took place during the speech of a JUI-F leader.

Caught on camera: Dozens killed in bomb blast at political rally in northwest Pakistan#Pakistani پاکستان##باجوڑ_دھماکہ pic.twitter.com/mASaLJT9hp

— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) July 30, 2023

The district emergency officer shared that the injured are also being shifted to Timergara and Peshawar.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Inspector General of Police (IGP) Akhtar Hayat Khan confirmed that the initial investigation revealed that it was a suicide attack.

He added that the investigation teams are collecting evidence from the site of the blast.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Office said that PM Shehbaz has issued directives to investigate the incident and identify those who are responsible.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari “expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives”, his Pakistan People’s Party said in a statement.

It added that the “the terrorists, their facilitators and planners need to be eliminated so that peace is established in the country.”

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, in a statement issued by the party’s media cell, expressed grief over the incident. He sought an inquiry into the attack from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the KP government.

“May Allah raise the ranks of martyrs,” Fazl said and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

He also appealed to JUI-F workers to immediately reach hospitals and provide blood donations.

جمعیت علماء اسلام کے سربراہ مولانا فضل الرحمان کا باجوڑ حملے میں جےیوآئی کے ورکر کنونشن کے دوران دھماکے پر شدید دکھ اور افسوس کا اظہار

مولانا فضل الرحمان کا وزیراعظم اور وزیراعلی کے پی کے سے افسوس ناک واقعہ کی انکوائری کا مطالبہ

اللہ تعالی شہداء کے درجات بلند فرمائے مولانا…

— Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Pakistan (@juipakofficial) July 30, 2023

PTI Chairman Imran Khan said he was saddened to learn about the blast and extended condolences to the families of the victims.

“The rise in terror incidents across Pakistan particularly in KP, calls for an urgent need to reconsider our priorities,” he said, adding that the authorities should focus on eliminating terrorism.

Saddened to learn of the blast in Bajaur, which took over 40 precious lives while injuring 150 other. My condolences and thoughts go to the families of the victims.

The rise in terror incidents across Pakistan particularly in KP, calls for an urgent need to reconsider our…

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 30, 2023

Bajaur is one of seven remote districts bordering Afghanistan in a region that was once a focal point in the global war on terror.

Over the past few months, the law and order situation in Pakistan has worsened, with terrorist groups executing attacks with near impunity across the country.

A report released this month by think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies said the first half of the current year witnessed a steady and alarming rise in terror and suicide attacks, claiming the lives of 389 people across the country.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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