Suicide bomb blast in Peshawar kills 20 including Awami National Party leader Haroon Bilour; Taliban claims responsibility

Peshawar, July 11: At least 20 people were killed including Awami National Party leader Haroon Bilour and dozen others were injured after a suicide bomber detonated himself in Pakistan’s Peshawar on Tuesday late night. The banned terror outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the Peshawar suicide blast.

 

Notably, the blast took place shortly before midnight on Tuesday Awami National Party leader Haroon Bilour, who was contesting elections from PK-78 constituency in Peshawar, along with other party workers gathered for a corner meeting in Yakatoot area.

Soon after the blast, all the injured including Haroon Bilour was taken to Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) where he succumbed to his wounds. The hospital authorities have said that the death toll may increase as many victims are critically injured. It further added that so far 48 injured were discharged from the hospital after initial treatment, while 15 people including a minor girl are still being treated.

Additional Inspector of Peshawar General Shafqat Malik said, “According to our initial investigation, it was a suicide attack and Haroon Bilour was the target.” He further added that an initial probe suggested that a young boy blew himself up at the main entrance of the gathering when Bilour entered the venue.

Importantly, this is the second terror attack on an election rally in Pakistan ahead of the 25th of this month's general elections. Earlier this month, seven people, including a candidate of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, were injured in an explosion during a rally near Takhtikhel.

Bashir Ahmed Bilour, the father of Haroon Bilour and known Awami National Party leader was also killed in a suicide attack in 2012 after a party meeting. The attack was also claimed by Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan terror outfit.