ANP leader Farooq Khan targeted in Charsadda bomb blast

CHARSADDA: Awami National Party (ANP) leader Farooq Khan’s vehicle has been targeted in remote controlled bomb blast in Sardheri area of Charsadda Wednesday, Geo News reported.

According to initial reports, ANP leader Farooq Khan was on his way for election campaigning in Sardheri area when an improvised explosive device (IED) hit his car. Sources told that Farooq Khan has sustained minor injuries due to the explosion.

Further details are yet to be ascertained.

It is pertinent to mention that 17 people including policemen and minors were killed and more than 60 were wounded in a suicide bomb blast that tore through an ANP corner meeting in Yakatoot area on Tuesday evening.

Reportedly, the moderate intensity blast struck when at least 200-300 ANP workers as well as leaders were attending a public meeting in Yakatoot.

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for what was the fourth deadly attack on politicians or political parties in three days as the country prepares to hold historic polls on May 11.

Police said about six kilograms of explosives along with splinters and ball bearings were used in the bombing.

Many vehicles parked nearby caught fire after the blast. Live footage showed columns of smoke billowing from the site with blood splattered all over the place.

The notable ANP leaders including Ghulam Ahmed Bilour and Haroon Bilour, the son of late Bahsir Bilour who was martyred in a similar attack, were also present at the meeting. Both the main leaders narrowly escaped the attack.

It is pertinent to mention that the son, brother and nephew of PML-N provincial President Sardar Sanaullah Khan Zehri were among the four people killed while several others were injured in an attack on his convoy in the Ghut bridge area of Khuzdar on Tuesday.

A remote controlled explosion went off after Zehri’s convoy passed Ghat Bridge killing Zehri’s son Mir Sikander, his brother Mir Mehar and nephew Mir Zaid. Sardar Sanaullah Zehri remained safe in the attack.

At least 25 to 30 others were also injured in the remote controlled bomb that was planted under the bridge.