Minister among 10 killed in DI Khan suicide attack

ISLAMABAD (PAN): A provincial law minister was among at least 10 people killed in a suicide attack in Dera Ismail Khan (DI Khan) town of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, officials said on Thursday.

The attacker blew himself up after entering a guest house at the residence of Israrullah Gandapur, the law minister, who was greeting locals at his residence on Wednesday.

More than 30 people, including Gandapur’s elder brother Ikramullah Gandapur were wounded in the attack that drew strong condemnation from Imran Khan, who’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party rules the province.

Khan, who backs talks with the Taliban, told reporters he was “devastated” by the suicide bomb attack which killed Gandapur and called for those responsible to be caught as soon as possible.

Witnesses said Gandapur was taken to hospital in a critical condition but died on the way.

A police official in tehsil Kullachi, about 50 kilometres from Dera Ismail Khan, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the bomber exploded his suicide vest as he hugged the minister.

Health officials said some injured people were in critical condition, fearing the death toll could rise.

Bomb disposal squad members said eight kilograms of explosives were used in the attack claimed by little known Ansarul Mujahideen religious group.

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