At least 12 killed, 19 injured in post-election violence in KP

PESHAWAR: At least 12 people were killed and 19 others injured in two separate incidents of violence in Kohat and Tank areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday.

The violence followed on the heels of local bodies’ elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa held on Saturday when as many as 84,420 candidates contested for 41,762 seats – the first local bodies’ elections in the province in 10 years.

The first incident of violence took place in Kari Haider area of Tank, about 250 kilometres south of provincial capital Peshawar, when people were celebrating the victory of Wali Khan, an independent candidate in the election.

"Supporters of Wali Khan, the winning candidate in the local elections, were celebrating his victory by dancing to drums and aerial firing, which infuriated supporters of the losing candidate," senior administration official Kifayat Ullah said.

Eight people were killed while nine were injured when gunmen lobbed grenades and fired gunshots at the celebrating party.

"The loser’s supporters threw hand grenades at the celebration, killing seven people on the spot. One died later in hospital," said Kifayat Ullah.

The second incident happened in Kohat district, where unknown gunmen attacked the residence of Zabi Ullah, a councilor who won the LB polls.

The gunmen carried out the attack when people had gathered at Zabi Ullah's residence to congratulate him on the victory. Four people lost their lives and 10 others were injured, but the councilor escaped unhurt.