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2023 Khar bombing

Coordinates: 34°43′57″N 71°31′25″E / 34.73250°N 71.52361°E / 34.73250; 71.52361
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2023 Khar bombing
Part of the insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Khar is located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Khar
Khar
Khar is located in Pakistan
Khar
Khar
LocationKhar, Bajaur, Pakistan
Coordinates34°43′57″N 71°31′25″E / 34.73250°N 71.52361°E / 34.73250; 71.52361
Date30 July 2023; 15 months ago (2023-07-30)
4 p.m.[1] PKT (UTC+05:00)
TargetJamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F)
Attack type
Suicide bombing
WeaponsExplosive belt
Deaths63+[2] (Including the assailant)
Injured200+[3]
Perpetrator IS-KP[3]

On 30 July 2023, the Islamic State – Khorasan Province carried out a suicide bombing at a Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) rally in Khar, Bajaur District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, killing at least 63 people[2] and injuring nearly 200 others.[4][5][6]

Background

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Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) (JUI-F) is a conservative political and religious party led by Fazal-ur-Rehman.[7] It is supportive of the Taliban government in Afghanistan. The JUI-F had been preparing for a general election after the dissolution of the National Assembly. Religious parties have attempted to use an economic crisis and former prime minister Imran Khan's arrest to their advantage.[8]

The insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa began in 2004 and its volatility peaked in the late 2000s and early 2010s, including two suicide bombings in Khar in January and December of 2010. This civil war slowed to a low-intensity conflict in 2017. However, the region has seen an increase in terrorist activity during the 2020s, with major protests erupting against the deteriorating security situation in January 2023.[9]

Bombing

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JUI-F organized a workers' convention on 30 July 2023. At around 4 p.m., when over 400 party members and supporters were present, a suicide bomber approached the stage and detonated an explosive vest.[10] At least 63 people were killed[2] and nearly 200 others were injured, including many children.[4] Maulana Zia Ullah, a local leader of the JUI-F, was killed in the attack[11] and it was the second assassination attempt on him.[12]

On 31 July, the Islamic State – Khorasan Province (IS–KP) claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing.[13]

Reactions

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The Pakistani Taliban condemned the bombing, as did Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban government. In a message on Twitter, Mujahid wrote, "Such crimes cannot be justified in any way".[10]

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the bombing and gave his condolences to the families of the victims. In a statement by his party Foreign Minister Bilawal Zardari "expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives" and also said "the terrorists, their facilitators and planners need to be eliminated so that peace is established in the country".[14] Minister of Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb stated on social media that "religion of terrorists is only terrorism. Ending terrorism is very important for the survival and integrity of Pakistan".[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Bomb at political rally in Pakistan kills at least 40 people". Politico. 30 July 2023. Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Pakistan suicide bombing death toll rises to 63". Aljazeera. 2 August 2023. Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b "ISIL claims responsibility for Pakistan bombing that killed 54 people". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Pakistan explosion: At least 54 dead in suicide bombing at political rally in northwest province". Sky News. 30 July 2023. Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  5. ^ "Suspected Pakistan suicide bombing kills at least 54, injures 135 more at political rally". NBC News. 30 July 2023. Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Pakistan suicide bombing death toll rises to 56". The Financial Express. 1 August 2023. Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Islamic State claims responsibility for Pakistan blast that killed 54". France 24. 31 July 2023. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  8. ^ Noack, Rick; Hussain, Shaiq; Nawaz Khan, Haq (30 July 2023). "At least 40 killed in blast at Pakistan political convention". The Washington Post. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  9. ^ Hanifullah (6 January 2023). "Bajaur rises up against 'terror redux'". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 7 January 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  10. ^ a b "A bombing at a political rally in Pakistan has killed at least 40 people". NPR. 30 July 2023. Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Suspected Pakistan suicide bombing kills at least 54, injures 135 more at political rally". NBC News. 30 July 2023. Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  12. ^ Editorial (2 August 2023). "Intelligence failure". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  13. ^ Baloch, Shah Meer; Ellis-Petersen, Hannah (31 July 2023). "Islamic State says it carried out Pakistan suicide bombing that killed 54". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 31 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  14. ^ "Suicide bomber kills 44 at Pakistan political rally". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  15. ^ "At least 44 killed in suicide attack at Pakistan rally". Al Jazeera. 31 July 2023. Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
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