Bajoor: Police say the blast happened on the outskirts of Khar, the capital of Bajoor district near Pakistan's border with Afghanistan, during a workers' convention of the Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI) party of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, a hardline cleric and political leader in Pakistan. The #pakistanblast blast took place around 4pm local time. 40 people were killed and more than 150 injured in the bomb attack.
After the explosion, only dust, smoke and some scattered organs could be seen around. The injured were shown being taken away from the scene. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State group, which operates across the border in Afghanistan, has been blamed.
Initially, police said 10 people were killed, but later the death toll rose to 40 as more bodies were brought to a local hospital. Police say some of the injured are in critical condition and the death toll is likely to rise. Maulana Ziaullah, the local chief of Rahman's party, was also among the dead. Senator Abdur Rasheed and former politician Maulana Jamaluddin were also present at the venue but escaped unhurt. Party officials said Rahman was not present at the rally.
The convention of JUI workers was organized in a hall near a market but later tents were added as supporters turned up in large numbers. Guarded by baton-wielding party volunteers dressed in traditional camel-colored shalwar khamis, the venue soon turned into a bloodbath.
Pakistan News : Deadly Suicide Bombing at JUI-F Convention in Pakistan Claims 39 Lives and Leaves Nearly 200 Injured. #Blast #pakistanblast | Pakistan | News
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- A tragic incident unfolded during a political convention in Khar tehsil, Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,… pic.twitter.com/EREU6WoAwl
Prime Minister Shabazz Sharif, President Arif Alvi and other leaders condemned the attack and asked officials to provide all possible assistance to the injured and bereaved families. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Chief Akhtar Hayat Gandapur said that preliminary investigation indicated that the party volunteers had defied the security provided by the party and infiltrated into the venue. He said that explosives experts are examining the scene to preserve the evidence.
Bajoor was a safe haven for Islamic militants until Pakistan Army launched a massive operation to eliminate militancy from the tribal region. Militants still carry out attacks, regularly attacking security forces and civilians. District Health Officer Dr. Faisal Khan said that 40 dead bodies and 150 people injured in the blast are in Khar's main hospital. Some of the injured are in critical condition and have been shifted to facilities in Peshawar and the nearby district of Dir.