4 rockets fired at independent candidate rally in Wana, 4 hurt

PESHAWAR Four rockets were fired at a rally of an independent candidate for NA-41, Naseerullah Wazir, but only one of them fell near the rally wounding four on Friday, Geo News reported

Security forces have started retaliatory action against the terrorists.

The attack took place in Wana, the main town of South Waziristan, where the Taliban and other militants have strongholds. "At least four people were wounded when four rockets fired by unknown people and only one of them exploded near an election meeting," sources said.

One rocket fell in Wana bazaar, a second exploded outside the house of local independent candidate Malik Naseerullah Khan and the third near the rally being attended by "hundreds of people", the official said. It was not immediately clear if anyone at the rally was hurt, he added.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but local tribesmen said the Taliban had banned political rallies in or around Wana bazaar and Khan had been fined for holding a rally in the area two days ago.

Pakistan's May 11 general election marks the first time that political parties can contest the vote in the semi-autonomous tribal belt. The outgoing government introduced the reform in a bid to eliminate militancy.