ISIS has claimed responsibility for a Pakistan bombing that killed 45 people.

The ⁢Islamic State Claims​ Responsibility for Suicide Bombing at Political Rally in Pakistan

The Islamic ‍State⁤ has claimed responsibility for the​ suicide bombing that took place at a political ‌rally in northwest⁢ Pakistan. The death‍ toll from the attack has now risen to 45.

The target of the attack was the conservative Jamiat ⁤Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) party, which is known for its links to hardline Islamists but condemns ⁣militants seeking ​to overthrow the Pakistani government.

This attack, which occurred⁢ in the Bajaur⁢ district‌ near the Afghanistan border, has raised security concerns‌ as the country prepares​ for a national election in November.

The Islamic State, a ⁣hardline militant group, claimed‍ responsibility for the​ bombing through a statement on its⁢ Telegram channel. The group’s Amaq agency stated, “The⁢ attack⁣ comes in the natural ⁣context of the ongoing war waged by‍ the Islamic State against ‘democracy’ as ‌a regime hostile to true Islam and in conflict ‌with its divine law.”

The death toll has now⁢ reached 45, with⁢ over 130 wounded individuals. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned ‌the blast as an attack on the democratic⁢ process. The⁤ upcoming election has already been marred by⁢ political rivalries and accusations​ of ​military involvement ⁢in civilian politics.

Former counter-terrorism chief Khawaja Khalid Farooq expressed concerns that a series of ⁢such attacks⁤ could lead to a ‌postponement of the election,‌ stating, “Such targeted​ attacks may⁤ affect ​the performance and electioneering⁢ campaign of affected political parties.”

Pakistan has experienced a ⁢resurgence of attacks by Islamist militants since the breakdown of a ‍ceasefire between the Pakistani Taliban and⁢ the government last year. While the TTP and associated groups have been responsible for most ​of the recent attacks,⁢ the Islamic State’s involvement is relatively rare in Pakistan.

Despite opposition from Pakistani Islamist militants, the JUI-F party supports the Taliban​ movement in Afghanistan.

(Writing and ⁢additional reporting ‍by Asif Shahzad, Editing by Robert Birsel, Peter Graff and Angus MacSwan)