PESHAWAR: Thirteen people have reportedly been killed and 35 have been injured in a blast at a corner meeting of Awami National Party (ANP) in Peshawar on Tuesday night. Barrister Haroon Bilour, son of Bashir Bilour, former federal minister for railways and candidate of 78 has also been killed in the blast.
According to the police, the blast took place in Yaka Toot where the corner meeting of ANP was underway.
The explosion occurred as the ANP leader, Haroon Bilour, arrived at the stage to address his supporters. The incident reportedly took place when he was being welcomed at the venue. He was contesting the election from PK-78 Peshawar.
Haroon Bilour was critically injured in the suicide blast and taken to the hospital where he died.
His son Danial Bilour, was injured in the blast.
It is pertinent to mention here that Bashir Ahmed Bilour, Haroon's father a senior ANP figure was also martyred in a suicide blast in Peshawar in 2012.
At least six persons with critical injuries admitted in Peshawar's Lady Reading Hospital.
ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the funeral of Haroon will be held in Peshawar at Wazir Bagh at 5 pm. “The ANP will take decision about the participation in election after his funeral. We are still contesting the election. It is unfortunate that not enough security had been provided to us,” he said while talking to the media.
Haroon’s uncle Ilyas Bilour said they had not received any threat in advance.