20 Jan, 2010, Peshawar, Pakistan

Politicians with three others have been injured in the bomb blast in Peshawar in north-west Pakistan. Aurangzeb Khan, the Awami National Party’s member that governs the North-West Frontier Province was seriously hurt. His vehicle was destroyed in the blast that took place not far from his residence in the capital of North-West Frontier Province. Khan was in stable condition at hospital, said Sahibzada Anis, Peshawar’s top civil administrator. Mr. Khan is opposed to the Taliban and supports the action against them in north-western Pakistan bordering Afghanistan.

There have been many attacks in this area. A bomb at the volleyball match on 1 January killed around 100 people while another in Peshawar was in October that killed 120. More than 600 people have died in militant attacks in Pakistan since the beginning of October, when the Pakistan army’s launched an assault against the Taliban. Suicide bombings and other attacks have killed dozens of party leaders, political activists and ANP lawmakers in recent months.

Mr. Khan was being driven along a road in Peshawar when the bomb exploded. Sahibzada Mohammad Anis, Peshawar’s top administrative official has said that Mr. Khan had been the target of this attack. Mr. Khan’s brother, Aalamzeb Khan was also killed in a bomb blast few months ago in Peshawar.