Eight Killed During Celebration Of Pakistan Local Election Victory

Officials in northwestern Pakistan say eight people were killed after local elections when supporters of a losing candidate threw hand grenades at celebrations staged by the winner.

The violence happened on June 1 in the village of Kari Haider in the Tank district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province, which is close to the tribal areas of North Waziristan and South Waziristan.

Senior administration official Kifayat Ullah said the supporters of independent candidate Wali Khan were marking his victory in the May 30 local election with celebratory gunfire and by dancing to drums.

Ullah said infuriated supporters of the losing candidate threw hand grenades at the celebration, killing seven people instantly. The eighth victim died later at a hospital.

Ten others were wounded.

The violence followed the killing of five people late on May 31 in similar incidents in the Kohat and Nowshera districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province.

Based on reporting by AFP and tribune.com.pak