[ad_1]
Peshawar (Pakistan) (AFP) – The death toll in a suicide bombing at an election rally in northwestern Pakistan rose to 20 Wednesday as Taliban militants claimed responsibility, officials said, in the first major attack ahead of July 25 polls. 19659002] A local leader of the Awami National Party (ANP), Haroon Bilour, was killed in the attack on the city of Peshawar late Tuesday,
The party has been targeted by Islamist activists in the past
"The death toll has risen to 20 and 63 others were wounded,"
The bombing came after the Pakistani military spokesman. Peshawar hospitals, "Peshawar police chief Qazi Jameel told AFP
Peshawar hospital official Zulfiqar Babakhel confirmed
Bomb disposal chief Shafqat Malik told AFP that the suicide bomber – who said it was around 16 years old – had eight kilograms of explosives and three kilograms of pellets, ball bearings and other shrapnel on his body.
Peshawar lawyers went on strike on Wednesday to protest and the death of Haroon, who was also a barrister. Local traders also announced a strike and thrills to Bilour's residence to offer condolences.
Bilor was one of the ANP's election candidates and belonged to an influential political family in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, of which Peshawar is the capital. [19659010] His father Bashir Bilour, one of the ANP's top leaders, was also killed by a suicide bomber in 2012.
Police said the bomber struck when Bilor was about to address some 200 supporters.
Mohammad Khorasani, spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan activist group, claimed responsibility for the attack
"Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan's mujahid (holy fighter) Abdul Karim last night carried away to suicide attack on ANP leader Haroon Bilor in which he has Khorasani said in a statement.
He said the militants "have already declared a war" on the ANP and called on the public to keep them away, "or you will be responsible for your own loss". [19659015] Peshawar city is considered a gateway to Pakistan's troubled semi-autonomous tribal regions, where many militant groups – including al Qaeda – operated until the government launched operations in
Activists have targeted political politicians, religious gatherings, security
But security across Pakistan, especially in Peshawar, has been dramatically improved in Pakistan.
Analysts warn that Pakistan has yet to tackle the root causes of extremism. 19659019]
[ad_2]
Source link
