At least 39 people have lost their lives and over 80 others have been injured in a deadly bomb blast that occurred at a workers’ convention of the hardline Islamic political party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) in Khar, the capital of Bajaur tribal district in Pakistan. The province, which shares a border with Afghanistan, has a history of unrest.
Following the tragic incident, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the Chief of JUI-F, called for a thorough investigation into the blast, urging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the province’s caretaker Chief Minister Azam Khan to take action. He emphasized the need for party workers to stay peaceful and donate blood, while also stressing the importance of providing the injured with the best possible medical treatment from federal and provincial governments.
The blast was strongly condemned by Chief Minister Azam Khan, who requested a report from the district administration. Haji Ghulam Ali, the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and a JUI-F central member, confirmed the devastating death toll, while local police authorities revealed that the injured have been transported to a nearby hospital, with several in critical condition.
Although the nature of the explosion is still under investigation, initial reports suggest it may have been a suicide blast. In response, law enforcement agencies have cordoned off the area to secure the site, and rescue teams have been dispatched to assist the victims.
Hafiz Hamdullah, a leader of JUI-F who was supposed to attend the convention but couldn’t due to personal commitments, strongly condemned the attack, categorizing it as an act of terrorism rather than jihad. He emphasized that the incident targeted both humanity and the Bajaur region, expressing the need for a thorough investigation. Hamdullah also highlighted that the JUI-F has previously been the target of such attacks, demanding preventive action against future incidents.
In the midst of this tragedy, Hamdullah extended his condolences to the grieving families and urged the provincial government to provide the best possible medical facilities for the injured. The situation remains tense as authorities continue to investigate and identify those responsible for this horrific attack.
