Authorities had already indicated that the jihadist group IS in Khorasan province (ISKP) was behind the attack, which was confirmed by the group who published a photographer of the suicide bomber. The Islamic State said the attacker detonated an explosive vest.
Authorities had already indicated that the jihadist group IS in Khorasan province (ISKP) was behind the attack, which was confirmed by the group who published a photographer of the suicide bomber. The Islamic State said the attacker detonated an explosive vest, and that the bombing in the northwestern town of Bajaur was part of the group’s continuing war against forms of democracy it deems to be against Islam.
The militant group issued a statement on its Telegram channel: “The attack comes in the natural context of the ongoing war waged by the Islamic State against ‘democracy’ as a regime hostile to true Islam and in conflict with its divine law,” the group’s Amaq agency said on Telegram. The local chapter of the IS-Khorasan group has in the past targeted JUI-F rallies and leaders.
The Pakistan Taliban, known as the TTP, had quickly distanced themselves from the bombing, with their spokesperson saying that “such crimes cannot be justified in any way”.
Horrific Visuals Surface
Visuals from the blast site started to surface soon after the incident and showed massive destruction and heart-wrenching scenes. One of the videos showed the exact moment when the explosion happened. The video shows a large gathering listing to an address when suddenly everything begins to shake. One can hear screams and cries.
