Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's (PTI) candidate for PK-99 Ikramullah Gandapur died on Sunday in a suicide blast Dera Ismail Khan area of the country, media reports said.
The politician was brought to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) DI Khan for treatment where he passed away later.
DI Khan DPO Manzoor Afridi told Dawn.com that at least eight to 10 kilogrammes of explosive material were used in the suicide attack on Gandapur, which took place in the Kulachi area of the district.
According to reports, the PTI leader's driver and guard were also injured in the blast.
The politician was reportedly targeted near his residence.
PTI chief Imran Khan condemned the attack and tweeted: "Saddened to learn that Ikram Gandapur succumbed to his injuries. My prayers go to his family. May Allah give them the strength to bear this loss. "
Saddened to learn that Ikram Gandapur succumbed to his injuries. My prayers go to his family. May Allah give them the strength to bear this loss.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 22, 2018
He earlier called the attack as 'cowardly'.
Strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack against Ikram Khan Gandapur and his convoy today. May Allah grant Ikram and the other injured a speedy recovery.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 22, 2018
"Strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack against Ikram Khan Gandapur and his convoy today. May Allah grant Ikram and the other injured a speedy recovery," he earlier in the day tweeted.
COAS expresses his grief on martyrdom of Ikramullah Gandapur in suicide attack. “We have lost another patriotic political leader who are being targeted by enemies of peace & democratic process. We stay determined & steadfast. Blood of our martyrs shall not go waste, IA”, COAS.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) July 22, 2018
Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa also condoled the death of the politician.