A suicide bomber killed 30 people, including a provincial
legislator, gathered for the funeral of a businessman in
northern Pakistan today, police said.
Legislator Imran Mohmand, formerly associated with an anti-
Taliban party, was elected as an independent in May but joined
the party of former cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan.
The bombing occurred in Mardan, in the northern Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa Province, which is controlled by Mr Khan�s party.
Senior police say Mr Mohmand was the target of the bombing,
probably due to his previous association with the Awami National
Party, known for its hard stance against the Taliban.
The ANP controlled the province before Mr Khan won a majority
there in May. Mr Khan�s party favour ending drone strikes and
holding talks with the Taliban. The militants did not target Mr
Khan�s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party during the campaign
although other parties, including the ANP, suffered fatal
Taliban attacks.
A Taliban spokesman declined to comment when asked whether the
militants was responsible for the bombing. If the Taliban have
decided to take on Mr Khan�s party, it could make the task of
ruling the province - which contains the militants� heartlands -
far more difficult. The businessman whose funeral was being held
owned a gas station in the region.
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kills-30-at-pakistan-funeral-1.1433859