Peshawar: According to Pakistani media, there was an explosion at a conference of an Islamic political party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province on Sunday. Around 45 people have died and more than 150 have been injured in this incident.
Fidayeen attack
According to the information, the injured have been admitted to the nearest hospital. Law enforcement agencies have cordoned off the area. Five ambulances have reached the spot. The incident is in Khar tehsil of Bajaur, where a tremendous explosion took place around 4.30 pm. It is believed that the attacker was present only among the party supporters. That’s why it is being considered as a fidayeen attack.
A convention of workers of Jamiat Ulema Islam Fazl (JUI-F), which is part of the ruling coalition, was underway in Khar. Where senior leader Hafiz Hamdullah was about to address, but he could not reach here due to personal reasons. According to media reports, more than 500 people were attending the conference when the explosion occurred.
Death toll likely to increase
Maulana Ziaullah Jan, a prominent leader of the party has also died in this incident. Meanwhile, the Bajaur District Health Officer put the death toll at 45. He said that more than 150 injured people have been brought to Bajaur District Headquarters Hospital, while those in critical condition are being airlifted to Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar by Pakistan Army helicopters. The death toll is likely to increase further.
Already been attacked
Hafiz Hamdullah strongly condemned this incident. He has demanded an in-depth inquiry into the incident. Along with this, he has said to raise this issue in the Parliament. I strongly condemn the blast, he said. I want to give a message to the people behind this that this is not Jihad but terrorism. He insisted today’s incident is an attack on humanity and Bajaur. This incident should be investigated. It was not the first time he had been targeted. This has happened before also. Our workers have been targeted. We raised our voice on this in the Parliament but no action was taken.
Hamdullah expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and urged the provincial government to provide the best medical facilities to the injured.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned
At the same time, Pakistan People’s Party Chairman and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the incident and expressed condolences to the bereaved people. The federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments should bring the patrons of terrorists to justice, he said. He emphasized that the terrorists and their planners must be eliminated.
