Pakistan: Electoral candidate killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa July 22 /update 1

Event

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday, July 22, that killed a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate. Ikramullah Gandapur and his driver were killed and four other people were wounded after his vehicle was targeted while leaving his home in the Dera Ismail Khan district. An investigation into the attack is ongoing as of Monday, July 23. The TTP said that the attack was carried out to avenge the deaths of Taliban fighters and vowed to continue attacks throughout Pakistan. Additional militant attacks, including on political candidates and gatherings, are possible ahead of the July 25 general elections.

Context

voters during the July 25 elections. On July 13, Islamic State (IS) militants killed at least 149 people, including a Balochistan Awami National Party (ANP) candidate, and wounded some 186 others in a suicide bombing attack in Mastung (Balochistan province). The same day, at least five people were killed and 37 others were wounded in a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attack on an election rally in Bannu (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province); the Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen group claimed responsibility for the attack. On July 10, a Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) suicide bomber attacked an ANP rally in Peshawar (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province), killing at least 22 people, including the ANP candidate for the provincial assembly, and wounding 75 others.

Additionally, some candidates have cautioned that the Pakistani army and intelligence services have threatened members of their political parties in the run-up to the vote, with election observers warning that the integrity of the elections may suffer as a result.

Advice

Individuals in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all polling places, demonstrations, and political gatherings as a precaution, remain vigilant for militant activity, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.