In a devastating turn of events, at least 44 people were killed and over 100 others left wounded in a suicide bombing on Sunday during a political gathering of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) party in Khar, northwest Pakistan.
The JUI-F party, a significant coalition partner led by an influential firebrand cleric, had organized the event under a canopy in the town of Khar, situated near the border with Afghanistan.
Eyewitnesses described the horrific scene following the explosion, with scores of supporters trapped under the collapsed tent, desperately trying to escape the chaos. Abdullah Khan, who attempted to aid the victims, recounted the heartbreaking sight of human flesh, limbs, and body parts scattered throughout the area, alongside lifeless bodies.
Sabeeh Ullah, a 24-year-old party supporter who sustained a fractured arm in the blast, expressed the horrifying scale of injuries witnessed at the scene. He narrated the poignant moment of lying next to someone who had lost their limbs, while the air was filled with the nauseating smell of human flesh.
The toll of casualties continued to rise, with Riaz Anwar, the health minister for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, confirming 44 fatalities and over 100 wounded late on Sunday. The attack was carried out by a suicide bomber who detonated himself in close proximity to the stage where the political gathering was taking place.
Reports indicate that there were approximately 400 people inside the tent at the time of the explosion, and emergency crews rushed to the site to assist the victims. Social media images showed the horrific aftermath, with bodies strewn around and volunteers striving to help blood-soaked victims reach ambulances.
The timing of the attack is particularly sensitive as Pakistan’s national assembly is set to dissolve in the coming weeks in preparation for the anticipated elections in October or November. Political parties have been gearing up for their campaigns, making the incident all the more unsettling.
The tragic event coincided with the visit of a senior delegation of Chinese officials, including Vice Premier He Lifeng, who arrived in the country’s capital on the same day.
The incident has garnered widespread condemnation, with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressing his condolences to the victims and vowing to bring those responsible to justice. As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, although the local chapter of the Islamic State (IS) group has been previously linked to attacks against JUI-F.
The nation mourns the loss of innocent lives, and authorities are on high alert to prevent any further acts of violence during this tense political period.
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