Four killed, 31 injured in blast near election rally in Pakistan

The blast took place around 40 meters away from the venue of  the public meeting,

Earlier reports had stated that the explosion targetted the convoy of Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam-Fazl’s Akram Khan Durrani, who is contesting on an MMA ticket from NA-35 (Bannu).

Geo News quoted officials as saying that the blast occurred 50 metres away from the rally site, adding that 40 policemen were deployed at the venue.

Reports that Durrani was the target of the attack were put to rest when the JUI-F leader showed up at the hospital to tend to his supporters.

"I remained safe but four of my allies have been martyred," he told Geo News. .

Durrani has served as the Federal Minister for Housing and Works in the last federal government.

Durrani is contesting the July 25 election against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairperson Imran Khan.

This is the second major incident of pre-poll violence in the country.

Earlier in the week, Awami National Party leader Haroon Bilour, among 22 others, was martyred in a suicide attack in Yakatoot neighbourhood of Peshawar.