The militant group Islamic State claimed responsibility for the bombing, issuing 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 government’s tenure ends in the first half of August, after which elections are to be held before early November, the runup to which is usually packed with political rallies and campaigning. “A justification for postponing the election can strengthen if a series of such attacks continue to happen,” former counter-terrorism chief Khawaja Khalid Farooq said. “Such targeted attacks may affect the performance and electioneering campaign of parties.”
