BAJAUR: The main bazaar in the Nawagai town here remained closed for the second consecutive day on Thursday against the killing of five people, including former senator Hidayatullah Khan, in Wednesday’s bomb blast in Mamund tehsil.

It is the third largest commercial centre in the district with around 2,500 shops.

Also, traders, political and social activists, and people from other walks of life took to the streets in this native area of Mr Hidayatullah.

Shouting slogans, they demanded tangible steps for peace in the district.

Awami National Party leader Maulana Khan Zeb said the residents were in the state of grief and fear after the Mamund bombing.

He said the law and order situation in the district had been poor for the last two years and the people held multiple peace marches and gatherings, but authorities didn’t take corrective measures.

The other speakers said Bajaur used to be a peaceful region but the killing of innocent people destroyed peace.

They urged people to forge unity for ensuring durable peace in the district.

Mr Hidayatullah, who was killed during the election campaign for his nephew Najeebullah Khan’s election campaign for the provincial assembly constituency PK-22 by-election, was laid to rest in Nawagai area late on Wednesday.

His funeral prayer was attended by people from across the district. The other bombing victims were buried in their native areas on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

The police registered an FIR against unidentified attackers under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act and sections 427 and 302 of Pakistan Penal Code.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2024