Bashir Ahmed Bilour laid to rest in ancestral graveyard

PHOTO: MUHAMMAD IQBAL

PESHAWAR: Senior Awami National Party (ANP) leader Bashir Ahmed Bilour, who was killed in a suicide attack the previous day, was laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard Syed Hassan Peer in Peshawar, Express News reported on Sunday.

Bilour, wrapped in the national flag, was brought to the Colonel Sher Khan Stadium where his funeral prayers were held. A large number of political leaders and ANP members were present.

Syed Noorul Hasnain Qadiri Gilani led the funeral prayers.

Strict security measures were taken and a heavy contingent of police and security forces were deployed to the area.

Earlier, Bilour and at least eight other people – including Bilour’s secretary and a local police official – were also killed in a suicide attack that took place during a political meeting of the ANP in the Dhaki Nalbandi neighbourhood of Peshawar.

Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) officials said a suicide bomber detonated the explosives strapped to his body when the meeting was at its peak and dozens of people were vowing allegiance to the ANP.

Bilour was 69 and had survived at least two assassination attempts and other acts of reprisal.

Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that Bilour was buried in Landi Kotal. The error has been fixed.