Ikramullah Gandapur, Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf’s (PTI) candidate for Provincial Assembly of KPK PK-99, was attacked by a suicide bomber in Dera Ismail on Sunday. Ikramullah was severely injured, he was moved to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) DI Khan, where he died after few hours.
DI Khan District Police Officer (DPO) Manzoor Afridi told that at least 8 to 10 kilograms of explosive material were used in the suicide attack on Ikramullah Gandapur, which took place in the Kulachi area of the DI Khan.
According to hospital officials, the Gandapur’s driver and guard were both injured in the attack and are said to be in critical condition.
Gandapur’s assistant, Faraz Mughal also confirmed the casualties.
According to Police, Gandapur was targeted near his residence while he was travelling for a political convention.
Gandapur recently served as the provincial agricultural minister in the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet. He was elected through a by-election on the DI Khan PK-67 after it was vacated following the death of his brother, former law minister Israrulah Gandapur, also died in a suicide attack.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan condemned the “cowardly terrorist attack” on Twitter.
Strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack against Ikram Khan Gandapur and his convoy today. May Allah grant Ikram and the other injured a speedy recovery.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 22, 2018
Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa expressed his condolences through the ISPR official twitter account.
COAS expresses his grief on martyrdom of Ikramullah Gandapur in suicide attack. “We have lost another patriotic political leader who are being targeted by enemies of peace & democratic process. We stay determined & steadfast. Blood of our martyrs shall not go waste, IA”, COAS.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) July 22, 2018
