'Brave son of a brave father': Twitter reacts to Peshawar tragedy

ANP leader Haroon Bilour, 11 others were martyred in the suicide blast

Condemnations poured in on Twitter soon after the tragic news of Awami National Party (ANP) leader Haroon Bilour's martyrdom during an election rally in Peshawar broke on Tuesday night.

11 others were martyred and 35 injured in the suicide bomb attack targeting his rally in a congested neighbourhood of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa capital shortly before the midnight.

His father, Bashir Bilour was also martyred in a suicide bombing targeting his rally in the fabled Qissa Khawani bazaar of Peshawar in December 2012. The outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan had claimed responsibility for the attack.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan strongly condemned the attack at the ANP corner meeting. He said that all political parties and their candidates must be provided security during their election campaigns by the state.

Sad to learn of Haroon Bilour and 2 other ANP workers deaths and strongly condemn the terrorist attack at the ANP corner mtg in Peshawar. All political parties and their candidates must be provided proper security during their election campaigns by the State.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 10, 2018

He also said that Bilour lost his father in the last election and now his children have lost their father in this one.

https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTIz/status/1016758479753760773

While the PTI leader Shireen Mizari said that "Heart wrenching to learn Haroon's young 16-year-old son also died - Bashir Bilour, Haroon Bilour and Danyal Bilour: three generations lost to terrorists who seem to act with impunity. This is our nation's tragedy".

Heart wrenching to learn Haroon's young 16 year old son also died - Bashir Bilour, Haroon Bilour and Danyal Bilour: three generations lost to terrorists who seem to act with impunity. This is our nation's tragedy. https://t.co/bXglfraweH

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) July 10, 2018

Mosharraf Zaidi, head of Alif Ailaan, also condemned the attack and said that "the horror continues for the Bilour family".

 

Innalillah...

Unbelievable news from Peshawar. For the Bilour family and ANP, the horror continues.

May Allah rest Haroon Bilour’s soul in peace.

😥

— Mosharraf Zaidi (@mosharrafzaidi) July 10, 2018

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sardar Muhammad Raza strongly condemned attack on ANP leader Haroon Bilour.

“This shows weakness of our security institutions and a conspiracy against transparent elections,” he said in a statement.

Terming it the 'peak of terrorism', ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the attack is aimed at derailing democratic system in the country and a conspiracy to delay upcoming general elections.





PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique termed the incident a "heinous and reprehensible attack," adding that "every Pakistani is grieving with the victims'  families".

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Faisal Sabzwari expressed sorrow on the great loss and paid rich tribute to the departed souls. He called Haroon the “Martyred son of a Martyred father”.

Haroon Bilour s/o Bashir Bilour... Brave son of a Brave father... Martyred son of a Martyred father. What a tragedy for Bilour Family. Heart bleeds for them & other victims. May Allah give them strength pic.twitter.com/wtrBaA5s8Z

— Faisal Subzwari (@faisalsubzwari) July 10, 2018

The blast occurred near the vehicle of Bilour in Yakatoot area of Peshwar. The casualties were driven to the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), where medics confirmed the death toll.

Haroon Bilour was approaching the rally organised in connection with his election campaign on Circular Road when the explosion took place.