A massive suicide bomb struck a political rally on Sunday, July 30, resulting in the loss of at least 44 lives.
The explosion occurred during a gathering of supporters for the hard-line political leader and cleric, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, in Bajur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, near the Afghanistan border of Northwest Pakistan. Local authorities reported that over 200 people, including children, were injured in the blast.
Video footage captured the moment when the bomb ripped through the crowd of more than 500 people, interrupting the rally as chaos and panic ensued. Emergency services arrived at the scene to aid the casualties. Provincial police chief Akhtar Hayat confirmed that a suicide bomber with an explosive-rigged vest caused the explosion. The Islamic State is among the groups who are chief suspects in the bombing.
The casualties were taken to the main hospital in Khar, while others were airlifted to hospitals in Peshawar. Images showed ambulances hurrying the wounded away from the scene while authorities secured the area. Among those who died during the incident was the local Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party leader, Maulana Ziaullah.
Bajur, once a notorious area for attacks and an Islamic militant safe haven, has seen improvements due to military operations. However, following the breakdown of the ceasefire between Islamabad and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) last year, Pakistan has witnessed a resurgence of insecurity with recent attacks targeting political gatherings and security officers.
Though not directly affiliated, the TTP pledges allegiance to the Taliban in Afghanistan, where Pakistan alleges the group has sanctuaries. Afghanistan’s administration condemned the blast, but Pakistan has yet to ascertain responsibility for the attack.
As Pakistan gears up for the upcoming elections due in October, rallies are being organized across the country amid heightened concerns about security and safety.
