A tragic incident unfolded at a political rally in Northwestern Pakistan, resulting in the loss of 54 lives and leaving over 200 others wounded, according to official reports.
The attack took place during a political event organised by the conservative Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) party in the Bajaur district of the region.
The explosion occurred on a Sunday, targeting the stage where several senior party members were seated.
Authorities revealed that “a suicide bomber was responsible for the devastating blast, but as of now, no terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack.”
The provincial police have initiated investigations into the incident and suspect a potential involvement of the ISIL (ISIS) group. However, the details are still being unraveled.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, an emergency was declared at nearby hospitals to handle the influx of injured victims. Critically wounded individuals were airlifted to hospitals in Peshawar, the provincial capital, via military helicopters.
Leaders and officials across the nation expressed their condemnation and grief.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased, particularly expressing sympathy for the family of the JUI-F leader, Ziaullah Jan, who was confirmed to have lost his life in the attack.
The Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and called for decisive action against terrorists and their collaborators to establish peace in the country.
The incident has sparked strong reactions on social media as well, with the Interior Minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb, emphasizing the importance of eradicating terrorism for the survival and integrity of Pakistan.
A journalist from an independent news outlet explained that the JUI-F party had faced previous attacks by the ISIL (ISIS) group, with tensions also existing with the Afghan Taliban.
The attack is believed to be an attempt to hinder the JUI-F party’s involvement in the forthcoming parliamentary elections in November.
The tragedy on Sunday marks one of the deadliest attacks in Northwestern Pakistan since 2014 when 147 people lost their lives in a Taliban attack on an Army-run school in Peshawar.
The nation mourns the loss of innocent lives and hopes for a comprehensive investigation and measures to prevent such atrocities in the future.
