Pakistan election: At least 21 dead in huge bombing targeting politicians who dared to stand up to Taliban

Attack comes two weeks before a national election

Militant group spokesman admits the group was behind the attack. (EPA)

The Pakistani Taliban has claimed it was behind a suicide bombing at a rally that killed a secular politician and 20 others two weeks before nationwide elections.

Mohammad Khurasani, a spokesman for the militant group, said they targeted the Awami National Party rally in the northwestern city of Peshawar, killing Haroon Ahmed Bilour, a candidate for a seat in the provincial legislature. Another 65 people were wounded.

Islamic extremists grew to despise the ANP when it ruled the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, of which Peshawar is the capital, from 2008 to 2013.

During that time the military waged a major offensive against militants in the Swat Valley. The militants responded by carrying out a wave of attacks ahead of the 2013 elections, killing hundreds of ANP supporters.

Mr Bilour’s father, Bashir Ahmed Bilour, was killed by a suicide bomber in 2012.

The Pakistani Taliban said the attack was an act of revenge for the ANP’s rule. It vowed to carry out more attacks and asked people to stay away from ANP rallies.

Mr Bilour’s family called on his supporters to remain calm.

“I am also ready to sacrifice my life for your rights, but I request you to exercise restraint,” his 16-year-old son Daniyal, who was wounded in the bombing, told supporters at his home.

The attack was condemned by political parties and the government. Caretaker prime minister Nasir-ul-Mulk has ordered authorities to ensure peace during the 25 July vote.

It came hours after the army said it would deploy more than 370,000 security forces to polling stations to ensure free, fair and transparent national elections.

That is more than five times the number deployed during the last elections in 2013, when the security situation was much worse.

Major General Asif Ghafoor, an army spokesman, said the troops would provide security at 85,000 polling stations and carry out other election-related duties following a request from the civilian body overseeing the vote.

Nearly 135,000 of the troops have been called up from retirement.

Associated Press