Over 40 dead, 100 injured as suicide blast rips through JUI-F rally in Bajaur

Bajaur: At least 44 people were killed and over 130 injured when a suicide bomber set off explosives at a political rally in Khar tehsil of Bajaur distrcict on Sunday, police and rescue officials said.

Nearly 400 people were attending the JUI-F workers convention on Shanday Morr near the NADRA office. Law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area.

JUI-F Khar Ameer Maulana Ziaullah Jan and Hamidullah were killed in the incident. A private news channel’s cameraman Samiullah was also among the wounded persons.

Caretaker KP Information Minister said that over 150 persons got injured in the bombing. Hospitals in Bajaur and nearby areas were put on high alert and critically wounded persons will be shifted to Peshawar.

Three Pakistan Army helicopters took part in the rescue mission and 10 critically wounded persons were shifted to Peshawar’s Lady Reading Hospital.

An emergency has been declared in the hospitals of Bajaur and adjoining areas where most of the injured were taken, said District Police Officer (DPO) Nazir Khan. The critically injured were transported from Bajaur to hospitals in the provincial capital Peshawar by military helicopters.

KP Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Khan told media the explosion was caused by a suicide bomb. . He added that 10 Kilogrammes of explosives were used in the blast.

JUI-F is a major coalition partner in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government.

Condemning the blast, Prime Minister called it an attack on the democratic process of Pakistan. He vowed that those responsible would be punished.

JUI-F demands inquiry into incident

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has demanded Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and KP Caretaker Chief Minister Azam Khan to carry out an inquiry into the incident.

Condemning the blast, Fazl prayed for the health of the injured and the higher ranks of those killed in the attack.

Urging party workers to remain peaceful, Fazl asked them to donate blood for the victims at the hospitals where the injured are being treated.

He also asked federal and provincial governments to provide the best treatment to the injured.

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