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Pakistan : Blast kills 15, injures 56 in Political Rally
Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- A blast near a political rally left 15 people dead in a Pakistan tribal region Monday, a local government official said.
The strike occurred in the Kurram district, Riaz Khan said, and also wounded at least 56 people. Khan said the blast was detonated remotely and 10 kilograms of explosives were used.
The explosion occurred during a rally staged by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal Ur Rehman group, a right-wing religious party with sympathies for the militant Taliban movement.The incident occurred as Pakistanis prepare to go to the polls Saturday for national elections.Jan Achakzai, a spokesman for the group, said more than 2,000 people were attending the rally. He said 15 people died and more than 50 injured. Two candidates received minor injuries, he said.
"We will continue our politics of peace and reconciliation in Pakistan's tribal region despite these cowards' attacks," Achakzai said.
Violence has marred the run-up to the elections.The anti-Taliban Awami National Party and the Muttahida Quami Movement and their personnel also have been targeted recently.