A SUICIDE BOMBER killed eight people and wounded dozens more at a Pakistan election campaign rally being attended by a senior politician in the northwestern city of Peshawar today, officials said.
It was the fourth deadly attack on politicians or political parties in three days as the country prepares to hold historic polls on 11 May.
Senior Awami National Party (ANP) leader Ghulam Ahmed Bilour escaped the Peshawar bombing with only minor bruises. He was shown on television footage with blood splatters on his shirt after the attack.
“At least eight people have been killed and 49 others wounded,” hospital spokesman Jamil Shah told AFP.
Police said it was a suicide attack. Up to six kilograms of explosives along with splinters and ball bearings were used in the bombing.
Live television footage showed vehicles burning and people rescuing the wounded in a cloud of smoke.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack but the Taliban have previously threatened ANP rallies and warned people to stay away from their campaign, as they are opposed to its agenda, which is often described as secular.
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