Pakistan attack toll soars: Suspicion falls on IS-K

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): With the toll from the Bajaur suicide bombing likely to mount, a security official on Monday suspected the involvement of the Islamic State in Khorasan (IS-K)

“There is no question about it,” a senior official said of Sunday’s bombing at a political gathering organised by the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl.

The blast occurred when a JUI-F leader was addressing the convention. The party’s General Secretary for Khar Ziaullah, District Press Secretary Mujahid Khan and his son were among the fatalities.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. “There was no threat of bombing in the district,” Dawn quoted unnamed security officials as saying.

They said there had been reports regarding the presence of IS-K in the tribal district on the Durand Line. In June, they recalled, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) had neutralised three IS-K men in Bajaur.

The Khar assistant commissioner feared the toll could rise as some of the 150 wounded people were critical condition. At least 46 people were killed in the bombing.

mud