Death toll in Lower Dir suicide bombing rises to 32

by Rao Muhammad Aftab Sat Sep 17, 2011 9:51 am

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

PESHAWAR: The death toll from a suicide bombing that targeted members of an anti-Taliban militia attending funeral prayers in Pakistan's northwestern region has risen to 32, police said Friday.

The bomber blew himself up Thursday as mourners gathered on open ground in Jandol town in the district of Lower Dir, 100 kilometres (60 miles) from the once Taliban-infested Swat Valley.

"The death toll in the attack rose to 32 overnight," senior police official Salim Khan Marwat told.

"The bomber came on foot and blew himself up in the middle of people as they were about to start prayers," he said, adding that investigations were ongoing and the bomber's remains had been sent away for testing.

Another senior police official Akhtar Hayat Gandapur confirmed the toll.

The blast came two days after four boys connected to another northwestern anti-militant group were killed in another explosion that was claimed by the Pakistani Taliban.

There was no claim of responsibility for Thursday's blast.