At least 44 killed in Pakistan after explosion at Islamist political rally
31-07-2023, 07:35

Font size: [ A+ ] / [ A- ]

At least 44 people have been killed in an explosion in Pakistan during a rally organised by an Islamist party.

More than 100 people were also injured in the explosion in north-west Bajaur district, where Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) was holding a meeting.

Police told the BBC that they have found evidence suggesting the explosion was a possible suicide attack.

A rescue operation has been completed and all injured have been taken to hospital, officers said.

Officials have warned the death toll may rise further, as 15 people are in a critical condition.

The motivation behind the attack is not yet clear. Security forces have cordoned off the area and an investigation into the explosion is taking place.

Hundreds of people were attending the JUI-F workers' convention on Sunday in the town of Khar, in the Pakistani tribal district of Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, near the border with Afghanistan.

Pictures showed hundreds of people gathered under a canopy when the blast happened close to the stage.

One eyewitness said the tent collapsed, trapping people who were desperately trying to escape.

Images broadcast on local TV show ambulances ferrying injured people to hospital, while police confirmed those with serious injuries have been flown by military helicopters to nearby Peshawar for urgent medical treatment.

Authorities have declared a health emergency at the district hospital.

Some badly injured people have been waiting in the hallways of health clinics struggling to cope with the high number of casualties.

A regional leader of the JUI-F, Maulana Ziaullah, was killed in the blast, local officials told the BBC.

JUI-F is a major religious political party and forms part of the government coalition in Pakistan's parliament.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned those responsible as being terrorists who have "targeted those who speak for Islam, the Quran and Pakistan" and said they would face "real punishment".

"The terrorists are enemies of Pakistan, we will eliminate them from the face of existence," the PM said in a statement.

The political gathering was an opportunity for the JUI-F to rally its support, ahead of an election expected to take place later this year.

While no-one has yet said they carried out the attack, the local branch of Islamic State group (IS) in Pakistan claimed to be behind several attacks this year in Bajaur and has previously claimed targeting JUI-F.

In June, the militants said they were behind the assassination of a party official in the village of Inayat Killi.

IS issued the claim in the name of its "Khorasan Province" branch (ISKP), which operates in Afghanistan and north-west Pakistan. The group also claims attacks in Pakistan in the name of its "Pakistan Province" branch.

 

BBC

Comments: 1522
#762   Candice
      
15 Astonishing Facts About Auto Lock Smith auto locksmith near me mobile (Darrin)
29 September 2024 08:38
#761   Jack
      
5 ADHD Adults Test Lessons Learned From Professionals adults with adhd test
29 September 2024 08:24
#760   Serena
      
The 10 Most Terrifying Things About L Shaped Couch Small l shaped
couch small (Greenwise.co.kr)
29 September 2024 08:17
#759   Chas
      
3 Reasons 3 Reasons Why Your L Shape Sofa Small
Is Broken (And How To Repair It) l shaped sofa recliner (Jerilyn)
29 September 2024 06:53
#758   Corinne
      
For Whom Is Backlink Generator Software And Why You Should Take A Look best backlink software (Fanny)
29 September 2024 06:19
#757   Heike
      
We run at the leading side of what is possible in medication today.


Also visit my web site ... Libido enhancer
29 September 2024 06:07
#756   Katharina
      
15 Interesting Facts About Do All Treadmills Have Incline That
You Never Knew how to change the incline on a treadmill; duckworth-henson.blogbright.net,
29 September 2024 05:17
#755   Georgina
      
The 9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Sofas L
Shape sofas l shape
29 September 2024 04:38
#754   Adelaide
      
Guide To Windowdoctor: The Intermediate Guide For Windowdoctor windowdoctor
29 September 2024 03:45
#753   Rodney
      
Unexpected Business Strategies That Aided Locked Keys In Car Uk To Succeed Boot
29 September 2024 02:45
#752   Reece
      
See What 1kg Coffee Beans Price Tricks The Celebs Are Using 1kg coffee beans
price (Bridget)
29 September 2024 02:39
#751   Ricky
      
See What Composite Door Replacement Lock Tricks The Celebs Are Using composite Door replacement lock (scientific-programs.science)
29 September 2024 01:45
#750   Brianna
      
See What Best Sex Toys Women Tricks The Celebs Are Making Use Of sex Toys women
29 September 2024 00:30
#749   Gus
      
15 Gifts For The Fridge Freezer 50/50 Sale Lover In Your Life 50/50 fridge freezer
integrated frost free (Antonia)
28 September 2024 23:52
#748   Lorna
      
What's The Job Market For Volkswagen Passat Key Replacement Cost Professionals?
volkswagen Passat key replacement cost
28 September 2024 23:43
#747   Sol
      
A Provocative Rant About Cabin Pushchair 037810.Xyz
28 September 2024 23:41
#746   Mickie
      
The Most Popular Toto It's What Gurus Do Three Things 스포츠토토
사이트 (Idea.informer.com)
28 September 2024 23:28
#745   Teodoro
      
14 Questions You Might Be Uneasy To Ask Designer Handbags Uk Sale 836614
28 September 2024 23:28
#744   Shirley
      
It Is The History Of Wall Mounted Fireplace In 10 Milestones fireplace electric - Dollie,
28 September 2024 20:16
#743   Kala
      
Pay Attention: Watch Out For How Upvc Window Hinge Is Taking Over And How To Stop It replace
upvc window Hinge (king-wifi.Win)
28 September 2024 20:11
Add Comments

Name:*
E-Mail:
  Geo Keyboard  
 

Dear reader, guardian.ge welcomes your comments. Please express your views on topic and be respectful of others.

bold italic underline strike | align left centered align right | Ensert smilies insert linkInsert protected URL Choice the color | hidden text insert quote Convert selected text from transliteration to Cyrillic alphabet Insert spoiler

Code: *


Back1 ... 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 ... 77Next