PESHAWAR: The death toll in the suicide blast at the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) workers’ convention in Bajaur has risen to 54.
A deadly blast occurred in Khar district of Bajaur, a former tribal region bordering Afghanistan, on Sunday evening when a suicide bomber detonated explosives at a JUI-F gathering, killing around 40 people. But he was killed and more than 100 were injured.
The police said that the initial investigation showed that the terrorist organization Daesh was behind the suicide attack.
Additional Inspector General of Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Shaukat Abbas said that currently 83 injured people are undergoing treatment in different hospitals.
Sharing an investigation update, the official said the convention started at 2 pm while the blast occurred two hours later at 4:10 pm.
He said that ball bearings and other equipment used in making explosives were found at the blast site.
Abbas added that the terrorist group behind the attack had been identified, targeting someone “specific” at the gathering.
He said that preliminary investigations have brought the CTD closer to the perpetrators of the attack.
Abbas said that a lot of evidence has been recovered from the blast site and forensic reports are expected soon.
He confirmed that 10 to 12 kg of explosives were used in the blast.
Meanwhile, KPCTD registered an FIR against unknown accused on charges of terrorism, murder, attempted murder and other charges by Khar Station House Officer Niaz Muhammad.
Also, CTD Bajaur Senior Superintendent (SP) Amjad Khan said that investigators have visited the spot and collected evidence to further the ongoing investigation.
He said that the statements of the injured have been recorded while the process of geo-fencing at the blast site has also been completed.
The United States and Saudi Arabia condemned the deadly suicide bombing, while Russia offered its condolences to the families of the victims.
Pakistan has seen a resurgence in militant attacks since the ceasefire between the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamabad broke down last year. Earlier this year, a bomb blast at a mosque in Peshawar killed more than 100 people.
A recent report submitted to the UN Security Council stated that the TTP is seeking to merge with Al-Qaeda to create an umbrella organization that would shelter all militant groups operating in South Asia. .
Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan of not living up to its commitment to ensure its territory is not used for terrorism in Islamabad, but cross-border militancy continues.
JUI(F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has demanded an inquiry into the incident from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and caretaker KPK Chief Minister Azam Khan.
