PESHAWAR: At least 21 people including Awami National Party (ANP) leader Haroon Bashir Bilour were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up during a corner meeting in Peshawar’s Yakatoot area, ARY News reported.
Initially, the death toll from the explosion was reported at 13 but it soared to 21 overnight, according to official sources at Lady Reading Hospital.
According to ARY News correspondent, Haroon Bilour was holding a corner meeting in the Yakatoot area when an explosion occurred leaving at least three people dead on the spot and several others injured.
Haroon Bilour was himself severely injured and was moved to the city’s Lady Reading Hospital along with other injured victims of the blast where he breathed his last.
The ANP leader was contesting polls from PK-78 constituency of Peshawar and the corner meeting was arranged as a part of his election campaign.
It is pertinent to note here that Bilour’s father, Bashir Ahmed Bilour, too had lost his life in a 2012 suicide bomb explosion in the city’s Qissa Khwani bazar.
He was the eldest son of Bashir Bilour and was contesting elections from the same constituency as his late father.
Bomb Disposal Unit confirmed that it was a suicide blast at least eight kilograms of explosive material was used in the attack.
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Peshawar told media that at least 35 people were injured in the blast and 12 including the ANP leader were killed. However, the death toll soared to 21 overnight.
Condolences and condemnations pour in
Political leaders, journalists and notables from all walks of life condemned the incident, demanded security for politicians and prayed for the departed soul.
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