The attack targeted an election campaign event organised in the city of Peshawar by the Awami National Party, which has been targeted by militants in the past over its vocal opposition to groups like the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.
A suicide bombing at an election rally killed at least 12 people, including a prominent local politician, and injured 36 others in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, police said.
The attack targeted a campaign event organised in the city of Peshawar by the Awami National Party, which has been targeted by militants in the past over its vocal opposition to groups like the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.
The bombing came hours after the Pakistan military spokesman said there were security threats ahead of national elections scheduled for July 25.
Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor✔@OfficialDGISPR
DG ISPR’s Press Conference 10july 2018 https://www.pscp.tv/w/bhRvaTFlZGpuTHl6ZUxXUW98MVlxR29nbk1ZUmxHdrQFaEqk1omLjqYpNFbQlwkrfAiU6dNpjaxz4Ylfvuug …
Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor @OfficialDGISPR
DG ISPR’s Press Conference 10july 2018
pscp.tv
Local media reported that Haroon Bilour, the son of slain ANP leader Bashir Bilour, was among those killed in the attack.
Bashir Ahmed Bilour – an outspoken critic of the Taliban and a senior minister in then provincial government of the Awami National Party (ANP) – was killed in a suicide bombing in December 2012.
The ANP has borne the brunt of militant attacks in northwestern Pakistan because it is staunchly opposed to the Taliban.
As a nationalist party, it competes with the militants for the support of ethnic minority Pashtun people along the Afghan-Pakistan border.
