Pakistan: PTI candidate critically injured in suicide blast

Three days before the general election in Pakistan, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) candidate Ikramullah Gandapur was critically injured in a suicide blast in Dera Ismail Khan city on Sunday.

The attack took place in the Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan city, DI Khan DPO Manzoor Afridi told Dawn.

Gandapur is representing PTI on a provincial assembly seat from the PK-99 constituency.
Quoting sources, Dawn reported that Gandapur's guard as well as the driver were also killed in the attack. Gandapur is undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital.

The police said that the PTI candidate was targeted near his residence when he was going to a political convention.

Reacting to the incident, PTI chief Imran Khan tweeted: "Strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack against Ikram Khan Gandapur and his convoy today. May Allah grant Ikram and the other injured a speedy recovery".

This comes following a suicide attack during an election rally in Mastung last week in which 149 people were killed, including Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) leader Siraj Raisani, and left over 200 injured.

Pakistan has been going through a spate of terror attacks in the run-up to the general elections slated to be held on July 25.

--ANI