A political rally in Bajur district, located in northwest Pakistan near the border with Afghanistan, turned into a scene of devastation as a powerful bomb exploded on July 30. The gathering was organized by supporters of Maulana Fazlur Rehman's Jamiat Ulema Islam party, a hard-line cleric and political leader, ABC News reported. At least 35 people were killed, and more than 100 others sustained injuries in the tragic incident.
The rally, which was a worker's convention of Rehman's party, took place on the outskirts of Khar, the capital of Bajur district. As per senior police officer Nazir Khan, the explosion occurred amidst the crowd, leaving 10 people dead initially. However, as the rescue and recovery efforts unfolded, the death toll escalated to 35. Some of the wounded were in critical condition, raising concerns that the number of casualties might still increase.
Azam Khan, the head of the emergency room at Khar's main hospital, reported that 35 bodies were brought to the hospital, but some were taken back by grieving relatives. He also stated that the number of wounded had exceeded 100. Many of the injured had sought medical aid at nearby small clinics, and they were subsequently transported to the main government hospital.
Government administrator Mohibullah Khan Yousufzai corroborated the numbers, confirming that the death toll had reached 35, and the count of wounded surpassed 100. In an effort to provide better medical care, seriously injured individuals were being airlifted to the provincial capital, Peshawar.
As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack. However, authorities pointed out that the Islamic State group operates in neighboring Afghanistan, and their involvement could not be ruled out.
Among the casualties was Maulana Ziaullah, the local chief of Rehman's party. Fortunately, Senator Abdur Rasheed and former lawmaker Maulana Jamaluddin, who were also present on the stage, managed to escape unharmed. Notably, Maulana Fazlur Rehman himself was not at the rally during the attack.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman is known for his pro-Taliban stance, and his political party is a part of the coalition government in Islamabad. It remains unclear whether Rehman was deliberately targeted in the attack. Similar meetings are being held across the country to mobilize supporters ahead of the upcoming elections.
Bajur district, once a tribal region, has seen significant military operations by the Pakistani forces to combat militancy in recent years. While many militant groups have been pushed back, sporadic attacks against security forces and civilians continue to pose a threat in the region.
The incident has sent shockwaves across the country, and authorities are closely investigating the circumstances surrounding the bombing.
Comments (0)