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Death toll rises to 20 in Peshawar blast, Haroon's to be laid to rest today

Death toll rises to 20 in Peshawar blast, Haroon's to be laid to rest today
July 11, 2018
PESHAWAR (92 News) – The death toll in the Peshawar suicide blast, in which Awami National Party (ANP) candidate Barrister Haroon Bilour martyred, 20 people has increased to 20. The explosion occurred in YakaToot area of Peshawar after some moments when Haroon Bilour arrived on the stage to address the party workers at the corner meeting. The blast claimed 20 lives and 62 persons were injured. The funeral prayers of 10 people has been offered collectively and Haroon Bilour's funeral prayers scheduled to be held later today, at 5 PM, in Wazir Bagh. Upon arrival of the late ANP leader in corner meeting, the party workers were busy in raising slogans and engaging to display fireworks. When Haroon Bilour hugged a party workers, a bomber blew up himself at the same moments. The Haroon Bilour was son of Bashir Ahmed Bilour, a senior ANP figure who, himself, was martyred in a suicide blast back in December 22, 2012. Bashir Balour was also martyred during the party campaign. After the blast Haroon was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition but succumbed to his wounds shortly after. The martyred ANP leader's body was returned to his residence a few hours later, with funeral prayers scheduled to be held later today, at 5 PM, in Wazir Bagh. The late ANP candidate was set to contest the July 25 elections from Peshawar's PK-78 constituency. Peshawar Hoigh Court and Balochistan Bar Council announced to observe grief today on the death of the ANP leader. Peshawar core commander also visited the Bilour's House for condolence. Immediately after the explosion, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) bomb disposal squad Shafqat Malik said that the blast at YakaToot was a suicide attack. He confirmed that nearly 10 to 12 kilogrammes worth of TNT explosives were used in the blast. Following the blast, security forces reached the spot and cordoned off the area. Rescue staff reached the spot and shifted the bodies and wounded people to Lady Reading Hospital. Emergency was declared at the Lady Reading Hospital, while large number of ANP workers also reached the hospital.