Ex-senator among five killed in remote-controlled blast in Bajaur

Explosion targeted vehicle of former Senator Hidayatullah Khan while he was campaigning in the run-up to an election

In Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), a remote-controlled bomb explosion claimed the lives of former Senator Hidayatullah Khan and four others on Wednesday.

According to K-P Police, the blast targeted the vehicle of former Senator Hidayatullah in the Damadola area of Mamund Tehsil, completely destroying the vehicle.

The senator was campaigning in the run-up to an election in Bajur tribal district along the Afghan border when his vehicle was hit by a remote controlled bomb, said police official Bakht Munir.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which is an umbrella group of Islamist and sectarian militants, has denied involvement. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack in a statement issued from his office.

Hidayatullah was the brother of former K-P Governor Shaukatullah and the son of former National Assembly member Haji Bismillah Khan. 

With additional input from Reuters