Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has expressed grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of Sardar Ikramullah Gandapur in a suicide attack at an election campaign rally in Dera Ismail Khan.

Ikramullah, who was contesting on a PTI ticket from PK-99, was part of a campaign rally at Kulachi on Sunday, when a suicide attack targeted his vehicle, killing him and injuring four others.

“Saddened to learn that Ikram Gandapur succumbed to his injuries, my prayers go to his family. May Allah give them the strength to bear this loss,” Imran Khan tweeted.

The PTI chief, while offering condolences at the demise, said that attackers were targeting election rallies indiscriminately. “But our enemies won’t ever be able to weaken our resolve or divide us,” he added.

Demanding an investigation into the attack, the PTI chief urged the Election Commission to ensure peaceful elections and security of candidates, saying the culprits should be given exemplary punishment.

Separately, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has strongly condemned the blast as well.

In a statement, the PPP Chairman expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of Gandapur and his driver and sympathized with the members of bereaved families.

Bilawal said that terrorist attacks on the election candidates was a conspiracy and stressed the need for curbing extremism to eliminate menace of terrorism.

Meanwhile, the PPP Chairman has also condemned firing on the vehicle of JUI-F candidate Akram Khan Durrani and urged the authorities to provide protection to the contesting candidates.