PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) candidate Barrister Haroon Bilour was among at least five people martyred in a suicide blast at a corner meeting in Peshawar late Tuesday, police said.
The explosion took place in Yaka Toot area of the provincial capital, where the corner meeting was underway.
It occurred as Haroon arrived at the stage to address supporters. He was contesting the election from PK-78 Peshawar.
Haroon was son of Bashir Ahmed Bilour, a senior ANP figure who was himself martyred in a suicide blast in Peshawar in 2012.
Haroon was taken to hospital after he was critically injured in the blast, however, the election hopeful succumbed to his wounds shortly afterwards.
The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) confirmed that it was a suicide blast.
The explosion left scores of other people injured, who were immediately whisked to different hospitals.
At least six wounded persons were said to be in critical condition at Peshawar’s Lady Reading Hospital.
Haroon’s son, Danial Bilour, has also been injured as a result of the blast. He is also said to be in serious condition.
