Bajaur blast kills 39, injures over 120
Bajaur blast kills 39, injures over 120 at JUI-F convention
JUI-F Tehsil Khar’s emir Maulana Ziaullah among the dead
President, PM and Fazal condemn the terror act
Staff Report
BAJUAR: At least 39 people were killed and more than 120 sustained wounds in a blast at a JamiatUlema Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) workers’ convention in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwaon Sunday.
The explosion occurred when more than 400 JUI-F members and supporters gathered in the town of Kharbordering Afghanistan.
“I can confirm that in the hospital we have 39 dead bodies, with 123 wounded that include 17 patients in a serious condition,” Riaz Anwar, KP Health Minister, told media.
Provincial governor Haji Ghulam Ali also confirmed the death toll.
Footage of the site after the blast showed panic-stricken people gathering as ambulances arrived to move the injured to hospitals. Afterwards, a large police contingent cordoned off the area.
KP caretaker Information Minister Firoz Shah said hospitals across Bajaur and neighbouring areas had been put on high alert. “We are trying to move critical patients to Peshawar and other hospitals through helicopters,” he said while talking to media.
“Our utmost priority right now is to provide medical treatment to the injured. The blast site has been cordoned off. Pakistan Army and other institutions are assisting us in the operation,” Jamal added.
Meanwhile, Bajaur District Emergency Officer Saad Khan told media that MaulanaZiaullah Jan, JUI-F emir in Khar tehsil, was also killed in the blast.
Separately, Bajaur District Health Officer Faisal Kamal said more than 150 injured people had been brought to the Bajaur District Headquarters Hospital while those in critical condition were being moved to the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) in Peshawar.
Rahim Shah, a witness, told that more than 500 people were attending the convention when the blast occurred. “We were listening to a sermon when a powerful explosion knocked me unconscious,” he said.
Shah narrated that when he regained consciousness, there was blood everywhere. “People were screaming and even shots were fired,” he added.
In a statement issued later in the evening, KP caretaker Chief Minister Azam Khan sought a detailed report on the blast from police and directed authorities to provide the best medical treatment to the injured.
Governor Ali also said in a statement that a helicopter had been sent to Bajaur for the transfer of wounded people.
No one has claimed responsibility for the blast yet.
JUI-F chief MaulanaFazlurRehman, in a statement issued by the party’s media cell, expressed grief over the incident. He sought an inquiry into the attack from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the KP government. “May Allah raise the ranks of martyrs,” Fazl said and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. He also appealed to JUI-F workers to immediately reach hospitals and provide blood donations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the blast at the JUI-F convention. He said terrorists targeted those who advocated the cause of Islam, the Holy Quran and Pakistan.
He also sought a report of the incident from Interior Minister RanaSanaullah and the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Meanwhile, President ArifAlvi prayed for eternal peace for the departed souls and commiserated with the bereaved families. He also wished speedy recovery for the injured and emphasised the timely provision of medical assistance to them.
