Suicide Bomber Strikes Political Rally in Northwestern Pakistan, Killing at Least 44
KHAR, Pakistan – A suicide bomber targeted a political rally in the former militant stronghold of Bajur district in northwest Pakistan, near the border with Afghanistan, on Sunday. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least 44 people and left nearly 200 others injured. The senior leader of the political party hosting the rally, Fazlur Rehman, stated that the attack was intended to weaken Pakistani Islamists.
Bajur district was once a stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban before being liberated by the Pakistani army. The rally was organized by supporters of Fazlur Rehman’s Jamiat Ulema Islam party, which generally supports regional Islamists. Though Rehman was not present at the rally, the event attracted a large number of supporters, prompting organizers to set up additional tents. Party volunteers were assisting in crowd control.
The suicide bomber detonated his explosives vest near the stage where several senior party leaders were seated, according to provincial police. Initial investigations suggest that the Islamic State group, which operates in neighboring Afghanistan and is hostile to the Afghan Taliban, could be responsible for the attack. However, investigations are still ongoing.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos and devastation following the blast. One survivor, Adam Khan, recalled being knocked to the ground and surrounded by injured individuals. The Pakistani Taliban, also known as the TTP, took responsibility for the attack, stating that it aimed to incite conflicts among Islamists. The Afghan Taliban, on the other hand, denounced the violence, asserting that such crimes cannot be justified.
The bombing occurred just hours before the arrival of Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, for an event commemorating ten years of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. China has been a vital economic ally for Pakistan, aiding the country in avoiding default on sovereign payments. However, Chinese nationals have been targeted by militants in various parts of Pakistan.
According to Feroz Jamal, the provincial information minister, the death toll from the bombing stood at 44, with nearly 200 individuals wounded. This attack ranks among the deadliest in the northwest region since 2014 when the Pakistani Taliban executed an assault on an army-run school in Peshawar, claiming the lives of 147 individuals, mostly schoolchildren.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Arif Alvi condemned the attack and directed officials to extend all possible assistance to the victims and their families. The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad also expressed its condolences to the families affected by the attack.
Among the casualties was Maulana Ziaullah, the local chief of Fazlur Rehman’s party. Senior party leaders, Abdul Rasheed and Maulana Jamaluddin, who were present on the stage, fortunately, escaped unharmed. Rasheed condemned the attack as an attempt to undermine their party’s participation in the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for November.
The bombing drew nationwide condemnation, with both ruling and opposition parties expressing their condolences to the bereaved families. Fazlur Rehman called for a thorough investigation into the incident and demanded compensation and medical facilities for the victims.
Eyewitness Mohammad Wali described being near the water dispenser when the bomb exploded. He recounted the horrifying scene at the hospital, with wounded people and grieving relatives mourning the loss of their loved ones.
As investigations continue, Pakistan remains resolute in its fight against terrorism and ensuring the safety of its citizens.