AT LEAST 40 people have been killed and many more injured in a blast at a political rally in Pakistan, according to reports.
Local officials said the explosion happened in the northwestern district of Bajur on Sunday.
Police expect the death toll to rise throughout the afternoon as hundreds of people remain injured.
Reports say the bomb ripped through a rally by supporters of a hard-line cleric and political leader.
Police officer Nazir Khan said the workers’ convention of Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party was taking place on the outskirts of Khar, which borders Afghanistan.
Read our live blog below for the latest news and updates…
- By Henry Moore
At least 40 dead and 100 injured in horror bomb blast at political rally in Pakistan
AT least 40 people have been killed in a blast at a political rally in Pakistan, according to reports.
Local officials said the explosion happened in the northwestern district of Bajur on Sunday.
- By Henry Moore
Where did the attack take place?
More than 40 people have been killed in a reported suicide bombing in Pakistan today.
The attack occurred on the outskirts of Khar, the capital of Bajur district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, police said.
The area has been known as a safe haven for militants in recent years.
- By Henry Moore
'Chaos' and 'smoke all around'
One injured person spoke of the chaos following the attack.
"There was dust and smoke around," a man told reporters.
He went on to discuss the "chaos" following the attack.
- By Henry Moore
Eye witness speaks out
One of the injured told reporters of their excitement ahead of attending the hard-line political rally.
"I was near the water dispenser to fetch a glass when the bomb exploded, throwing me to the ground," Mohammad Wali told Sky News.
"We came to the meeting with enthusiasm but ended up at the hospital seeing crying wounded people."
- By Henry Moore
Local party official reportedly killed
Among the victims from today's blast was a local party official, reports claim.
One of the dead is the local leader of Mr Rehman's Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, Maulana Ziaullah, claims Sky News.
Police expect the death toll to rise as the day goes on.
- By Henry Moore
No one has claimed responsibility
No one person or group is yet to claim responsibility for today's attack.
At least 40 people have were killed in the blast at a political rally in Pakistan, according to reports.
Local officials said the explosion happened in the northwestern district of Bajur on Sunday.
- By Henry Moore
Pictures from the scene
Several pictures have been released showing the aftermath of today's massive explosion in Pakistan.
These images may be disturbing.
- By Henry Moore
Reports say attack was a suicide bombing
Reports have claimed today's attack was a suicide bombing.
Confirming this, Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder said: "The Tehrik-e Taliban have declared against the security forces and against the government and Maulana Fazlur Rehman is an ally of the government."
- By Henry Moore
More on the political rally
Today's attack hit a political rally in Pakistan.
Senior police officer Nazir Khan said the workers’ convention of Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party was taking place on the outskirts of Khar, which borders Afghanistan.
Rehman is considered to be a pro-Taliban cleric and his political party is part of the coalition government in Islamabad, AlJazeera reports.
Meetings are being organised across the country to mobilise supporters for the coming elections, due to be held by October.
- By Henry Moore
Who was the attack targeted at?
Senior police officer Nazir Khan said the workers’ convention of Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party was taking place on the outskirts of Khar, which borders Afghanistan.
At least 40 people have been killed in the blast, reports say.
- By Henry Moore
Hundreds wounded
Over one hundred people are thought to be wounded after a blast ripped through a political rally in Pakistan, killing at least 40.
This is a developing story, follow our live blog for moment to moment updates.
- By Henry Moore
At least 40 dead and 100 injured in horror bomb blast at political rally in Pakistan
AT least 40 people have been killed in a blast at a political rally in Pakistan, according to reports.
Local officials said the explosion happened in the northwestern district of Bajur on Sunday.
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