July 4, 2024
By Bilal Baseer
ISLAMABAD:
The death toll from the remote-controlled bomb attack on former Senator Hidayatullah’s vehicle in Bajaur on Wednesday, July 3, has risen to five, as another person succumbed to his wounds in the hospital on Thursday.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Bajaur, NaveedIqbal, confirmed to Voicepkthat the blast targeted former Senator Hidayatullah’s vehicle in Bajaur. The attack claimed the lives of Hidayatullah and three others who were travelling with him. The former senator was on the way to support his nephew’s election campaign.
Rescue 1122 retrieved four deceased individuals and one critically injured person from the crime scene, all of whom were transported to the hospital. Former Senator Hidayatullah was identified among the deceased.
Medical Superintendent (MS) District Headquarters Hospital in Khar, DrNaseebGul, confirmed the identities of the deceased as Hidayatullah Khan, Malik Irfan, Nazar Din, Yar Muhammad, and Samiullah. After completing medico-legal formalities, their bodies were handed over to their families.
SP NaveedIqbal said that the former senator had been receiving extortion threats and had filed a case with the Counter-Terrorism Department. Security personnel had been assigned to protect his family. He was also advised against travelling due to security concerns.
“We have deployed approximately 32 personnel for the security of his family. All political leaders in the area are provided with adequate security due to potential threats, especially given the proximity to the Afghan border,” SP Iqbalsaid.
Regarding the security situation in the region, SP Iqbal mentioned ongoing efforts by security forces to counter insurgency activities. While open terrorist activities have diminished, areas like Mamund near the border continue to face threats from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and targeted killings.
“While it’s challenging to confirm the presence of sleeper cells or if attackers retreat to Afghanistan after operations, law enforcement agencies are actively investigating,” SP Iqbal added. He added that security forces had recently eliminated a terrorist linked to the Tehreek Taliban in the area.
Addressing concerns about violence against local leaders during election periods, SP Iqbal stressed on the need for constant communication and heightened security measures in the region’s rugged terrain.