More than 100 people were also injured in the explosion in north-west Bajaur district, where Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) was holding a meeting.

The death toll is expected to rise as nearly 20 of the injured are in critical conditions, an official told Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

Soon after the blast, relief operations were underway, the deceased and injured were taken to nearby hospitals.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari strongly condemned the attack, expressed grief to the families and relatives of the deaths and prayerfully wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

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