Pakistan suicide blast: ISIS claims responsibility, 23 children dead

Bajaur: The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the deadly suicide bombing that occurred at an election rally in Pakistan's border district of Bajaur on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of 54 people, including 23 children, and leaving nearly 200 others wounded.

The suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vest near the platform where the political rally was being held, causing devastation and tragedy. The incident occurred in the town of Khar, near the Afghanistan border, under a large tent set up close to a market.

The attack targeted a gathering of about 400 members and supporters of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) party, a significant government coalition partner led by hardline politician Fazlur Rehman. The head of the JUI-F was not present at the site during the attack and he had previously escaped similar explosions at political gatherings in the past.

In the aftermath of the horrific incident, police began gathering testimonies from the injured at a hospital in Khar. The provincial minister of information, Feroz Jamal, assured that the authorities were thoroughly investigating all aspects of the attack, reported ANI.

An official First Information Report (FIR) on the blast has been filed with the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Pakistan. The initial investigation indicates that the terrorist group ISIS was responsible for the suicide attack. The FIR has been filed against unidentified persons on suspicion of terrorism, murder, attempted murder, and other offences.

Shokat Abbas, the additional inspector general for the CTD, reported that nearly 10–12 kg of explosives were used in the blast. Maulana Fazlur Rehman has called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and interim Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Azam Khan to thoroughly investigate the incident.

The terror attack has drawn condemnation from various countries, including the United States, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, who have expressed their condolences to the families affected by the tragedy.

In recent times, extremist attacks in Pakistan have seen an uptick, especially after the collapse of a truce between Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamabad last year. Earlier this year, over 100 people were killed in a mosque blast in Peshawar, indicating the escalating security challenges in the region.

A recent UN Security Council report suggests that the TTP may be seeking to unite with Al Qaeda, forming a single entity that consolidates various militant organisations active in South Asia.

While cross-border militancy persists, Pakistan has consistently held Afghanistan accountable for failing to fulfil its promise of preventing its soil from being used for terrorist activities against Islamabad.