Slain PTI candidate laid to rest

Islamabad, July 23: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Ikramullah Gandapur was laid to rest in his hometown Kulachi in Dera Ismail Khan on Monday, a day after he was killed in a suicide attack.

Around 2,000 people, including local authorities and members of his party, attended Gandapur's funeral. He was former Agriculture Minister in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and was said to be leaving his home for an election meeting when his vehicle was targetted in the suicide attack in Kulachi Tehsil.

"He (Gandapur) was laid to rest near his residence on the outskirts of Dera Ismail Khan," Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police spokesperson Gulraiz Khan said.

A security guard, who was wounded in the strike, also died on Monday in a hospital. The attack was claimed by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Geo News reported.

Gandapur's killing is the latest in a series of attacks targeting politicians in the days leading up to the July 25 general elections. 

Siraj Raisani of the Balochistan Awami Party and Haroon Bilour of Awami National Party were among hundreds killed in such strikes earlier this month. 

The politician's brother Israrullah was killed on October 16, 2013 in a suicide bombing while greeting visitors on Eid-ul-Azha in Kulachi. Gandapur was elected on his brother's seat after a by-election following his death.

A case against "unknown persons" has been registered by the police.