Bomb attack in election rally kills 15 in Kurram agency

A bomb blast at an election rally in Kurram agency tribal region killed at least 15 people on Monday, officials said.

The blast occurred at the public meeting of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) in Kurram tribal region also injured 42 others, Assistant Political Agent of central Kurram region, Mohammad Fazal told the media.

Political agent Riaz Masood said the device was planted inside a religious school, venue of the rally.

JUI-F’s National Assembly candidate Munir Orakzai, escaped unhurt in the attack.

Orakzai, a former Member of the National Assembly, had recently joined the JUI-F.

Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

The TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said that Munir Orakzai was targeted as he had been part of the former govt.

Some participants said that Orakzai was getting off the stage when the bomb went off.

Another JUI-F candidate Ainuddin Shakir was injured in the blast.

The injured were shifted to Parachinar hospital. The police reached the area to conduct an investigation into the incident.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

A JUI-F spokesman told the media that around 3000 people, including tribal elders were at the meeting at the time of the blast.

Violence has risen sharply before the vote with more than 60 people killed in direct attacks on politicians and political parties since April 11.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso strongly condemned the explosion‚ said that such acts cannot shake the resolve of the nation against terrorism.

JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has condemned the killing of innocent people in explosions.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on May 6 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.