PESHAWAR: A suicide bomber killed sixteen people and wounded 49 at a Pakistan election campaign rally attended by a senior politician in the northwestern city of Peshawar yesterday, officials said.
It was the fourth deadly attack on parties in three days as the country prepares to hold historic polls on May 11. Senior Awami National Party (ANP) leader Ghulam Ahmed Bilour escaped the bombing with minor bruises. He was shown on TV footage with blood splatters on his shirt after the attack. “It was a suicide bombing,” senior police official Shafqat Malik said. Up to 6kg of explosives along with splinters and ball bearings were used in the bombing. “We have found the bomber’s feet,” Malik added.
TV footage also showed vehicles burning and people rescuing the wounded in a cloud of smoke. There was no immediate claim of responsibility but the Taliban have threatened ANP rallies and warned people to shun the party’s agenda often described as secular. AFP
