35 Dead After Bombing in Pakistan

By: Yuning Xiang

In the Bajur district on Sunday, a bomb exploded and killed 35. Another 100 were injured. The bombing occurred during a convention hosted by the Jamiat Ulema Islam party in Khar, the regional capital. Many of the wounded were in critical condition, which could cause the death toll to rise.

At the government hospital in Khar, 35 people were confirmed dead. Several of the injured went to medical clinics before being sent to the hospital. Many needed to be sent to Peshawar to get better treatment.

Among the dead was Maulana Ziaullah, the regional chief of the Maulana Fazlur Rehman-led party. Rehman is a pro-Taliban cleric. Senator Abdur Rasheed and former lawmaker Maulana Jamaluddin were participating in the rally but were uninjured.

After the bombing, meetings were being held to prepare supporters for upcoming elections.

Bajur itself was formerly a tribal region and was considered a “safe haven” for Islamic militants before a recent military crackdown.