At least 46 people, including JUI Khar chief Maulana Ziaullah Jan and General Secretary of Nawagai Tehsil Maulana Hameed ullah, were killed and over 200 others injured in a suicide blast in Bajaur’s headquarters Khar. An emergency has been imposed in all hospitals of the province, and rescue operations of the Pakistan Army have been started.
Dr. Faisal confirmed that three more injured have died in the blast, taking the number of martyrs to 46.
Dr Faisal said that more than 90 injured in the blast are undergoing treatment in different hospitals, 36 bodies have been handed over to the heirs after identification, while eight bodies are in the hospital for identification as they are unidentified.
DHO Dr Faisal said that locals are seeking information in hospitals in search of missing loved ones.
Case registered, 3 arrested:
An FIR has been registered against unidentified terrorists in Bajaur blast case, various sections including anti-terrorism have been added in the case.
According to the text of the FIR lodged at CTD Malakand region on the complaint of SHO Khar Police Station, more than 300 people were present at the JUI convention.
The FIR said that the injured and martyrs were shifted to the hospital through rescue.
District Police Officer (DPO) Bajaur Nazir Khan said that three suspects have been detained, the investigation of the incident is underway.
DPO Bajaur said that funeral prayers of many of the martyred people have been offered in their native areas.
Visit of Corps Commander and IGFC:
Corps Commander Peshawar Sardar Hassan Azhar Hayat and IGFC Reached Bajaur and visited the injured in the blast.
Corps Commander and IGFC visited the site of the blast where they were briefed about yesterday’s blast.
The Corps Commander said that in this hour of grief, we, the Armed Forces of Pakistan, stand side by side with the people of Bajaur.
IG FC said that terrorism is a menace which is the need of the hour to root out.
Earlier, Provincial Information Minister Feroze Jamal told The Associated Press that 44 people had been martyred and about 200 injured in the attack so far.
The blast took place in Shandai Mor area of Khar, the capital of Bajaur, where jui workers’ convention was going on and a large number of workers had gathered. Police, rescue and bomb disposal squad teams rushed to the spot and shifted the bodies and injured to Khar Hospital.
Up to 12 kg of explosives were used in the blast:
The bomb disposal unit’s investigation into the blast has been completed, and BDU officials have confirmed that according to the investigation, the blast was suicide, and up to 12 kilograms of explosives were used in the blast, while ball bearings were also used in it.
A video of the blast has also surfaced:
In the video, it can be clearly seen that people are gathered and people standing at the back are listening to the speech, teenage boys can also be seen in the workers convention, during which there is a loud explosion in front and the flame is raised.
The video was shot by someone in the back of the venue which shows that chaos ensued after the blast.
Eyewitnesses said the blast took place among people near the stage, and JUI Khar chief Maulana Ziaullah Jan was delivering a speech at the time.
The administration has declared an emergency in hospitals in Khar and other cities. The injured have also been sent to Timargara and Peshawar. Casualties continue to rise.
Blast was suicide, confirms IG KP:
Inspector General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Akhtar Hayat Khan confirmed that the blast at the JUI workers convention in Khar was a suicide attack.
IG Akhtar Hayat said that the organs of the suicide bomber have been found after the blast, while further investigation is underway.
JUI Khar chief Maulana Ziaullah Jan also killed in blast:
JUI Fata Deputy Secretary Information Khalid Jan Dawar said juI Khar chief Maulana Ziaullah Jan was also martyred in the blast. Maulana Hameed ullah, general secretary of Nawagai tehsil, was also among those martyred.
According to eyewitnesses, the blast took place near the stage when Maulana Ziaullah Jan’s speech was going on. Maulana Ziaullah Jan had been attacked earlier also; he was on the hit list of the banned ISIS.
According to sources, the terrorists had planned to target 22 people of JUI, including Maulana Ziaullah.
