KP law minister, seven others killed in Eid suicide bombing

• Israrullah Gandapur was greeting well-wishers when bomber blew himself up
• PTI chief condemns attack, asks federal government to implement APC decisions

A tragic suicide attack on Eid Day in Dera Ismail Khan claimed the life of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Sardar Israrullah Khan Gandapur and six others and left around 40 other people injured.

The attack took place in a suicide attack at the minister’s hujra (guest house) in his native town Kolachi when he was exchanging Eid greetings with visitors on Wednesday.

Young and an expert on constitutional matters and assembly’s rules and business, Gandapur was receiving well wishers on Wednesday afternoon when suicide bomber exploded himself up amidst the crowd.

Most of the victims were personal body guards and servants of Gandapur.

Most of the injured, including brother of Israr Gandapur, were discharged after treatment.

However, officials on Friday informed that 10 of the injured were still under treatment at DivisionalHeadquarterHospital in Dera Ismail Khan and their condition was in danger.

Witnesses and police officials informed that Israr Gandapur and his brothers were present in the family hujra when the suicide bomber entered the premises posing as a well wisher.

The suicide bomber met a number of people before reaching Israr Gandapur and exploding materials packed with his body.

The Gandapur and four others were killed on the spot.

He was laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard on Thursday afternoon. The funeral was attended by hundreds of people from Kolachi, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Bannu and Lakki Marwat. However, no one from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or federal governments turned up for the prayers.

Chief Minister Pervez Khattak on Thursday visited Kolachi where he condemned the attack and offered condolences.

He, however, returned to Peshawar without participating in the funeral procession over security fears.

Belonging to an influential and respectable family of Kolachi, Sardar Israrullah Khan completed a hit-trick of victories in 2013 general polls. He along with his father, Sardar Inayatullah Khan Gandapur (late), was elected to the provincial assembly in 2002 general polls as independent candidates.

Similarly, he retained the seat on a Pakistan People’s Party (Sherpao) ticket in 2008 general polls. Whereas in 2013, after retaining the seat as an independent candidate, Gandapur had joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf and became the law minister.

His father Sardar Inayatullah Khan had served as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (NWFP) chief minister in 1970s.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet held an emergency meeting on Thursday and denounced the killing of Israrullah Khan Gandapur.

The cabinet discussed the situation evolving after the suicide attack on and reviewed the to law and order situation.

PTI chief Imran Khan also expressed shock over the death of Gandapur.

In a message on a popular social media site, Khan said: “Shocked and saddened by attack on KP Law Minister Israrullah Gandapur’s house in DIK, martyring him and 7 others; injuring over 20.”

“It is imperative the federal government move forward to implement political consensus arrived at APC. KP ppl and govt are frontline targets.”