Former Senator Hidayatullah Among Five Martyred in Bajaur Blast

Hanif Ullah

Bajaur: Former senator Hidayatullah Khan and four others were martyred in a remote-controlled bomb blast targeting their vehicle in the Dummadola area of Tehsil Mamond in District Bajaur.

According to the local police, the attack occurred as Hidayatullah Khan and his colleagues were returning from Dummadola to the headquarters in Khar.

The remote-controlled bomb detonated on their vehicle en route, claiming the lives of Hidayatullah Khan, Nazaruddin of Navgai, Yar Mohammad of Navgai, and Samiur Rehman of Inam Khoro China Mamond.

The bodies of the five martyrs were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Khar Bajaur and later handed over to their families after post-mortem examinations.

Hidayatullah Khan, a prominent political figure, served in the Senate from 2012 to 2024, representing former FATA as an independent. He held positions such as a member of Necta and Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Aviation. Hidayatullah Khan was the younger brother of former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Engineer Shaukatullah Khan and the son of former MNA Haji Bismillah Khan. He was also related to Dr Inayatullah Khan, an eye specialist at PIMS Hospital Islamabad. 

The former senator was in Khar to support his nephew, Najibullah Khan, an independent candidate running in the upcoming PK-22 constituency by-election of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on July 11.

The blast occurred as Hidayatullah Khan and his colleagues were returning from the election campaign.

Leaders Call for Justice

KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur condemned the tragic incident in Bajaur and summoned a detailed report from police authorities. “All aspects of the incident should be investigated and a report should be submitted,” he stated.

KP government spokesperson Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif offered prayers for the deceased, stating, “Such cowardly attacks cannot dampen our spirits.”

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed regret over the deaths caused by the remote-controlled bomb, strongly condemning the attack and extending condolences to the victims’ families.

Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, Deputy Chairman Syedaal Khan, House Leader Ishaq Dar, and Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz also denounced the attack.

 Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and KP Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry strongly condemned the incident, with Chaudhry stating, “We will not be discouraged by such cowardly attacks. The martyrdom of the former senator and others will not go in vain,” while extending his condolences.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari emphasized the need for a united stance against terrorism, stating, “Ending the monster of terrorism should be the agreed agenda.

Additional input from Dawn.