Taliban bomb kills 16 at Pakistan rally

PARACHINAR, Pakistan -- A bomb blast tore through a political rally held by an Islamist party in northwest Pakistan on Monday, in an attack claimed by the Pakistani Taliban that killed 16 people and underscored an increase in violence ahead of the May 11 vote.

The explosion, at the rally held in the village of Sewak in the northwest Kurram tribal area, was the latest attack on candidates, political offices and election-related events as the vote approaches.

Much of the violence is believed to have been carried out by the Taliban against three liberal and secular parties. But yesterday's blast targeted a gathering of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, which generally has a more favorable relationship with the militant group.

The bomb was apparently planted near the main stage of the rally. It killed 16 and wounded 44, said Umar Khan, a doctor at the nearby Sada hospital.

Two party leaders who were speaking at the event escaped unharmed.

About 2,500 people had gathered at a local religious school to hear the candidates speak, said one witness. The massive explosion came just as one of the candidates ended his speech and was leaving the stage.

One candidate, Ainuddin Shakir, told a television station that the bomb appeared to have been detonated by remote control.