According to Express News, the blast took place as soon as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti took off in a helicopter after addressing the rally. The blast took place 50 metres away from the site of the rally.
Express News correspondent Yasir Ali reported that the participants of the rally, thousands in number, were leaving the venue when the blast took place. Eyewitnesses said that some police officials also became a victim of the incident.
Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Information Minister Iftikhar Hussain confirmed that five people had died, while 27 had been injured. The dead bodies had been shifted to Lady Reading Hospital.
The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS), after inspecting the site, revealed that an explosives-laden motorcycle with about 3-4kgs explosives was parked by the roadside. The bomb was detonated with a remote-control, and it was not a suicide attack, confirmed BDS officials.
ANP leader Haji Adeel, talking to Express News, condemned the attack and expressed grief over the people who their lives in the incident. He said that his party was “totally against terrorism”.
Commenting on the security arrangements of the rally, Adeel said that if the security was not adequate enough then the blast would have taken place inside the rally instead of 50metres away.
Express News correspondent Jahanzaib Khattak reported that the miscreants were trying to take the motorcycle to the helipad but detonated the bomb when the police tried to stop the vehicle.
He added that two police officials were also among the dead.
Provincial leader Liaquat Shabab paid condolences to the families of the deceased and paid tribute to the police officials for laying their lives in order to avoid “an even worse possible incident”.
ANP leader Ghulam Ahmed Bilour termed such incidents as an “international conspiracy” and said that such incidents are pulling people away from Islam.
Rescue operation is underway at the site while the injured and the dead were shifted to different hospitals. Hospital officials said that at least 15 people sustained injuries in the attack.
Around 5,000 participants were present at the rally, as well as several other party leaders.
COMMENTS (21)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@US CENTCOM:
Very easy to have your spies carry out these attacks and then write such meaningful yet meaningless things. Pakistan does not need any assistance from America out of all countries in the world to fight terrorism. We all know what goes around. Cheers.
Where are the beghairats who post photos on facebook about the US, asking 'Who is the real terrorist'? Shame on your intellectual abilities if you can't tell who are real terrorists.
It is ironic that how much hate exist against the liberal, nationalist and secular parties in Pakistan. They are always the target of terrorists, fascists and hate mongers. Most all attacks are against ANP, PPP and Baloch nationalists, while the rightwing parties and their cronies enjoy good safe life in Pakistan. Yet the hate always targeted toward the liberal victims.
Another attack leading to yet more death and destruction. Incapable of building anything, the desperate and cowardly terrorists continue to inflict as much damage as possible. Our condolences go out to the families of innocent victims and brave police officers who gave their lives to stop the terrorist from inflicting more pain. Now is the time to work closely together to completely eliminate the menace of terror from the region. Together we have achieved much in the past. We need to go back to the basics of cooperation so that peace can be achieved and the region can prosper without the fear of terrorism.
Maj David Nevers DET-United States Central Command www.centcom.mil/ur
why there is no tough,very tough security arrangements.
when will learn from past mistakes
@Iron hand The conspirators live in India and Israel
Sad for the human losses. Its inhumane and Anyone who is killed irrespective of religion, caste , creed, political affiliation, should be sympathized with.
Great, so you know them, can you plz tell us their addresses???
It IS an international conspiracy. The conspirators live in Saudi Arabia, Quatar, Dubai, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia...
ANP will not gain the sympathies of the people whatsoever.
"ANP leader Ghulam Ahmed Bilour termed such incidents as an “international conspiracy” and said that such incidents are pulling people away from Islam."
I had real sympathy right up until that part.
@Pakistan politics: stop blaming Afghanistan, Pakistan has more responsibility than any other
A big LOL at "International Conspiracy".
Now Liberal Fascists will start commenting against the religious people.
Security lapse and governments failure to tackle terrorism for several years. Incompetent rulers should be held responsible.
TTP at it again.
Come lets bash USA and talk to our Taliban Brothers!
Good job!!
Just another day in Pakistan.... Move along.. Nothing extra-ordinary..
men never commit evil so easily as when they do it out of religious convictions.how much more will our people suffer because of the religious bigotry in our country?