Islamabad— At least 40 people were killed and more than 130 others were injured in a suicide bombing at a political rally in northwestern Pakistan. The incident occurred on the outskirts of Khar, the capital of Bajur district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The rally was organized by supporters of hardline cleric and political party leader, Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

The blast, which took place near the border with Afghanistan, caused widespread devastation and emergency services were immediately deployed to the scene. Some of the seriously injured were airlifted to a hospital in the provincial capital, Peshawar. Maulana Ziaullah, a local leader of Mr. Rehman’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, was among the dead.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman was not present at the rally during the time of the attack. His party is part of Pakistan’s coalition government and also leads the Pakistan Democratic Movement, a united front of opposition parties that successfully ousted then Prime Minister Imran Khan through a no-confidence vote last year.

The incident has cast a shadow of fear over political events in the lead-up to the general election later this year. Witnesses described the chaotic aftermath of the blast, with injured individuals being rushed to hospitals and the area cordoned off.

As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, Pakistani journalist Zahir Shah Sherazi pointed out that Islamic State operates near the border in Afghanistan, and the bombing may have negative implications for upcoming political campaigns. Both Prime Minister Shabaz Sharif and President Arif Alvi have condemned the attack, while Mr. Rehman has called for an official inquiry.

Bajur, where the attack took place, was once a stronghold for Islamic militants, but recent military operations by Pakistan have worked to eliminate the threat. The incident has heightened security concerns and called for heightened vigilance in the region.

40 Dead and Over 130 Injured

At least 40 people were killed and more than 130 others were injured in a suicide bombing at a political rally in northwestern Pakistan. The incident occurred on the outskirts of Khar, the capital of Bajur district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The rally was organized by supporters of hardline cleric and political party leader, Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

The blast, which took place near the border with Afghanistan, caused widespread devastation and emergency services were immediately deployed to the scene. Some of the seriously injured were airlifted to a hospital in the provincial capital, Peshawar. Maulana Ziaullah, a local leader of Mr. Rehman’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, was among the dead.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman was not present at the rally during the time of the attack. His party is part of Pakistan’s coalition government and also leads the Pakistan Democratic Movement, a united front of opposition parties that successfully ousted then Prime Minister Imran Khan through a no-confidence vote last year.

The incident has cast a shadow of fear over political events in the lead-up to the general election later this year. Witnesses described the chaotic aftermath of the blast, with injured individuals being rushed to hospitals and the area cordoned off.

As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, Pakistani journalist Zahir Shah Sherazi pointed out that Islamic State operates near the border in Afghanistan, and the bombing may have negative implications for upcoming political campaigns. Both Prime Minister Shabaz Sharif and President Arif Alvi have condemned the attack, while Mr. Rehman has called for an official inquiry.

Bajur, where the attack took place, was once a stronghold for Islamic militants, but recent military operations by Pakistan have worked to eliminate the threat. The incident has heightened security concerns and called for heightened vigilance in the region.