Five people including ex-Senator Hidayatullah Khan killed in remote-controlled bomb blast in Bajaur
BAJAUR/ISLAMABAD, July 03 (SABAH): Five people including former Senator Hidayatullah Khan were killed in remote-controlled bomb blast in Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Wednesday.
The vehicle of the former senator was targeted in the blast which took place in an area of Mahmond tehsil of the district. The two victims have been identified as Nazar Din and Malik Irfan.
Police have cordoned off the area while dead bodies have been shifted to hospital. Former lawmaker Hidayatullah was a brother of ex-governor Engineer Shaukatullah Khan.
Malakand Regional Police Officer Muhammad Ali Khan Gandapur confirmed the deaths to a private TV channel, saying that the former senator’s car was targeted in an IED attack in Bajaur’s Damadola area. He added that no one had claimed responsibility for the attack as of yet.
Bajaur District Police Officer Sajjad Ahmad told that the bomb disposal unit was conducting its investigation and the situation would be made clearer after its report. He added that the former senator was on the way to a by-election campaign in Damadola he was attacked.
President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the deaths of Hidayatullah, a former senator and several other people who lost their lives in a remote-controlled bomb blast in Bajaur.
The president condemning the terrorist incident, expressed condolences with the bereaved families, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release. He also prayed for the departed souls and for the bereaved families to bear the losses with fortitude.
KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur condemned the incident and summoned a report from police authorities. “All aspects of the incident should be investigated and a report should be submitted,” he was quoted as saying in a statement.
KP government spokesperson Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif offered prayers for the deceased and said: “Such cowardly attacks cannot dampen our spirits.”
Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, Deputy Chairman Syedaal Khan, leader of the house in Senate Mohammad Ishaq Dar and opposition leader Shibli Faraz also condemned the attack.
Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi has strongly condemned the explosion in the Damadola area of Bajaur and expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the tragic incident, including former Senator Hidayatullah. The Interior Minister expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. He said that every segment of society has made invaluable sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, and the great sacrifices of the martyrs will always be remembered.
KP Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry condemned the attack, saying that it was very unfortunate.
“We will not be discouraged by such cowardly attacks. The martyrdom of the former senator and others will not go in vain,” he said, extending his condolences to the relatives of the three.
“Ending the monster of terrorism should be the agreed agenda of all the democratic parties of the country,” PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said while responding to the attack.
“Senator Hidayatullah always highlighted the problems of former Fata in the House. Tribal areas have been deprived of a strong voice. The PPP stands in solidarity with the family members of senator Hidayatullah and we are with them in their demand for the end of terrorism and justice,” said PPP Senator Sherry Rehman.
Awami National Party (ANP) President Aimal Wali Khan also condemned the attack and criticised security agencies, asking if they would answer for the incident.
“Just a few days before the by-elections, such incidents are a question mark on security in Bajaur and a complete failure of the security agencies. ANP strongly condemns the cowardly attack and demands that the perpetrators and facilitators involved in the incident be strictly punished,” he said in a post on X.