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Pakistan Bombings Target Adviser To Prime Minister


The January 12 attack was the first on a member of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's (pictured) party since his government took over in June, although Islamist militants have targeted activists of other political parties.
The January 12 attack was the first on a member of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's (pictured) party since his government took over in June, although Islamist militants have targeted activists of other political parties.
ISLAMABAD -- Pakistani officials say at least eight people have been killed in two separate attacks targeting politicians in the country’s volatile northwest.

At least six police were killed in back-to-back bombings targeting an adviser to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on January 12.

A suicide bomber first blew himself up near the convoy of Ameer Muqam as he headed to a political meeting in the Shangla district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province.

Minutes later, a remote-controlled device went off.

Muqam, one of the key leaders of Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party, was unhurt.

It was the first attack on a member of Sharif's party since his government took over in June, although Islamist militants have targeted other political parties.

Sharif has previously said he wants to hold peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban to end a decade-long conflict.

In the other incident, two members of the Awami National Party were killed when gunmen opened fire on their vehicle in Peshawar.

No group has claimed responsibility for either attack.

Based on reporting by dpa, AFP, and RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal
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