Casualty Figure Raised In Attack On Pakistan Election Rally

Pakistani volunteers search a destroyed vehicle at the site of a suicide-bomb attack at an election campaign rally in Peshawar on April 16.

PESHAWAR, Pakistan -- The death toll has increased in the aftermath of a suicide-bomb attack at an election campaign rally in northwest Pakistan on April 16.

Hospital officials in the city of Peshawar told RFE/RL on April 17 that at least 16 people died and 35 were injured in the attack.

Doctors say the death toll might rise further as some of the injured are in critical condition.

The rally in Peshawar was called by the secular Awami National Party (ANP) ahead of the May 11 general elections.

The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

The ANP is one of three secular-leaning political parties that dominated Pakistan's last government, which was dissolved in preparation for the election.

The attack on April 16 is the fourth deadly attack on Pakistani politicians and political parties in three days.