Pakistan Bomb Blast: 39 killed at political gathering in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, says police
Pakistan Bomb Blast: At least 39 people have been killed in a major bomb blast at a political gathering of a radical Islamic party in northwest Pakistan on Sunday. Over 100 people have been injured, officials said.
"I can confirm that there are 39 dead bodies in the hospital, with 123 wounded, including 17 patients in critical condition," Riaz Anwar, the health minister for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, told a news agency. Haji Ghulam Ali, the provincial governor, confirmed the dead toll to the media.
"A senior leader from the party was supposed to address the ceremony, but a bomb explosion occurred before his arrival," Akhtar Hayat Gandapur, the inspector general of police for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province said.
He claimed the blast was directed at the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) party, which was holding a convention in the town of Khar, near the Afghan border, ahead of elections later this year.
- With inputs from agencies
