WANA: Unidentified armed men opened fire on the vehicle of an Awami National Party (ANP) candidate in South Waziristan tribal district on Thursday night, in which he escaped unhurt.
Local sources said unknown armed men opened fire on the vehicle of the ANP candidate Taj Wazir near the Wana Cadet College on Thursday night. The attackers came on a motorcycle and escaped after the incident. The vehicle of the ANP leader was damaged in the incident as it received bullets, however, Taj Wazir luckily escaped unhurt.
Taj Wazir said while talking to media persons that unidentified armed men were following his vehicle on a motorcycle. He said the assailants tried to stop the vehicle, but could not do so after which they opened fire on the vehicle. He said the administration and security agencies are looking after the security matters in tribal districts ahead of the elections and they are not allowing even the election candidates to keep arms for their security. He said the administration has failed to provide security to the ANP leaders and activists.
The attack on the ANP leader has occurred just a day before the crucial first ever provincial elections in tribal districts. The ANP right from the start of the election campaign is complaining about lack of security measures and other difficulties for the party candidates in the elections. The ANP leadership believes that every time in elections security issues are not addressed for the party due to which it could not prepare properly for the elections as it cannot carry out its election campaign in a free and secure atmosphere.
Two days ago, the ANP provincial president Aimal Wali Khan said while addressing a public gathering of party activists in Inayat Killay area of Bajaur tribal district that his party will fully run election campaign disregarding the hindrances placed by the government. He alleged that Section-144 was imposed merely for the ANP, while the government candidates were enjoying full freedom.
Aimal Wali Khan lamented that security alert is issued always when the ANP goes into election field. He said Sartaj Khan has been martyred after Bashir Bilour and Haroon Bilour and many other leaders are also facing threats.