KHAR: In the aftermath of a harrowing blast that ripped through the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam – Fazl (JUI-F) workers’ convention in Khar, the capital area of Bajaur on Sunday afternoon that left a staggering death toll of 46 lives, a First Information Report (FIR) has been formally lodged at the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD).
As per the details, the FIR has been registered against unidentified terrorist(s) based on the complaint filed by Station House Officer – Kharniaz Muhammad.
The charges listed in the FIR include terrorism, murder, attempted murder, and other relevant sections.
According to a CTD spokesperson an inquiry team has been constituted to investigate the incident. This team has already visited the site of the blast and gathered crucial evidence from the crime scene.
Furthermore, the investigation team has reached out to the injured individuals to record their statements as part of the ongoing investigation.
Medical Superintendent (MS) Khar Hospital Dr Naseeb Gul has confirmed that the death toll from the devastating suicide blast has risen to 46 and more than 150 were injured
While, District Health Officer Dr Faisal has provided an update on the injured, stating that more than 90 individuals are still undergoing treatment in various hospitals.
Unfortunately, after the passing of 3 more injured victims, the number of martyrs has now reached 46, added Dr Faisal.
According to Dr. Riaz Anwar, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Advisor, a total of 61 injured individuals are receiving medical treatment in various hospitals across the province.
Fortunately, more than 50 minors who were injured have been treated and discharged.
Among the injured, 32 are currently being treated at Taimargarh Hospital, while 10 others are under care at CMH Peshawar. Tragically, three individuals succumbed to their injuries during treatment. Additionally, three injured individuals are being treated at Lady Reading Hospital, and 16 others are receiving medical attention in Bajaur.
The bodies of 36 deceased individuals have been handed over to their grieving relatives. However, the remains of 8 victims are yet to be recognised due to the severity of their injuries.
On the other hand, Peshawar Corps Commander and IGFC (Inspector General of Frontier Corps) arrived in Bajaur where they visited the hospitals to meet the injured individuals and also inspected the site of the incident.
Local authorities provided them with a briefing on the details of the occurrence.
During the visit, the Corps Commander expressed solidarity, stating that the Pakistani forces stand united with the people of Bajaur in this time of sorrow.
The IGFC emphasized the importance of eradicating terrorism completely, calling it a menace that must be rooted out entirely.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned JUI-F supremo Maulana Fazl ur Rehman and strongly condemned the blast.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah also strongly condemned the explosion at JUI-F convention in Bajaur district.
He [tweeted][2], “I am saddened and sorry for the loss of precious lives and pray for the high status of the martyrs.”
The minister said that cowardly acts of terrorists cannot defy nation’s spirit to fight terrorism.
The Afghan interim government has strongly condemned the explosion as well.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman strongly condemned the blast and urged workers to arrange blood for the injured workers of the party.
He asked workers to remain peaceful.
JUI-F senior leader Hafiz Hamdullah – while talking to SAMAA TV urged government to ensure emergency medical measures for the casualties.
“This is not jihad. This is sheer terrorism,” he maintained.
“It is not the first blast that struck JUI-F workers. I excused myself from attending the convention due to my personnel meeting,” he said.
He questioned the performance of the state institutions as multiple blasts also occurred in the past in Bajaur.
He urged state institutions to take notice of the blast and urged government to conduct judicial inquiry into the incident.
Foreign Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari condemned the bomb blast at JUI-F convention in Bajaur.
FM Bilawal expressed his condolences to the victims families.
He demanded federal and provincial governments should bring the patrons of terrorists to justice.
He said that those who design terror activities must be eliminated.
Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) President Abdul Aleem Khan strongly condemned Bajaur blast.
“The loss of life as a result is extremely saddening,” he said.
Aleem Khan said that after a thorough investigation of the incident, the government should bring out the facts and take action against those responsible.
“The occurrence of such incidents in political gatherings will affect the upcoming election. May Allah grant forgiveness to the dead and speedy recovery to the injured,” he said.
ANP Member of National Assembly (MNA) and former KP chief minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti wrote on the social media platform ‘X’ that inhumane attack on the workers’ convention of JUI-F in Bajaur was condemnable and perpetrators of such acts are not at least human.
“We firmly stand with families of victims and party in this difficult time,” he added.
He said that unfortunately all the parties are silent on the ongoing unrest in KP.
“We have been raising for the last four years that terrorists are re-organizing here, but no one has listened. Even agreements were made to resettle the terrorists, the result of which is in front of us all. We still demand that no more fuel should be created in this war against terrorism and the only solution for prevention is the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP),” he said.
Hoti said action must also be taken against those who resettled the terrorists and declared them as ‘fighters’.
ANP KP President Aimal Wali Khan condemned blast at JUI Convention in Bajaur.
“The targeting of innocent political workers is less to be condemned. The increasing incidents of terrorism in Pakhtunkhwa province are alarming. Those who are responsible for the increasing incidents of terrorism are the same people who facilitated the terrorists. We have said it many times. That those who call terrorists ‘fighters’ are responsible for these situations,” the ANP said.
“The only solution to prevent terrorism is the implementation of the National Action Plan,” he said.
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