Pakistan News: At least 10 people have died and 150 wounded in Bajaur in Northwest Pakistan when an explosion ripped through a political meeting.
Varying casualty numbers
Media sources say that the meeting was organized by the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl or JUI-F. However, Hafiz Hamdulla, chief of the outfit says 12 people have died in the explosion. A news report filed by TV9 Bharatvarsh says the blast claimed 30 lives and 50 people have been wounded. He told a news channel, “Between 10 to 12 of our party workers are said to have been martyred in the explosion, with over three dozen wounded.”
‘Not a jihad’
The JUI-F leader condemned the attack and said it was not jihad but fasaad. “I condemn the blast in the strongest words. I want to send a message to those responsible: If you call this jihad, you are mistaken, this is fasaad and outright terrorism. This is an attack on humanity, the state and region of Bajaur. This is not Islam, but a grave injustice against Islam and its followers,” Hamdulla told the reporters.
The deputy inspector general of Malakand says rescue operations are on and all the wounded have been shifted to nearby hospitals. He said the blast could be heard 2 kilometres away. Former Pakistan minister Fawad Chaudhary expressed his anguish over the accident and hoped that all the wounded have a fast recovery.
Another news website Tribune Pakistan says five people have lost their lives. Quoting Express News, the website says the blast occurred in a hall near Dubai Mor when the JUI-F convention was underway. Rescue workers fear that the casualty numbers may rise because the explosion occurred in a confined place. Law enforcement agencies have cordoned off the area and are investigating the ‘terrorist’ incident. The DIG of Malakand division said the police are finding out the nature and cause of the blast.
Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘DNP INDIA’. Also, please subscribe and follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER.