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Pakistan Suicide Bombing Toll Rises to 43: Official | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AFP) – The death toll from a suicide attack at a gathering of tribal elders in insurgency-hit northwest Pakistan has risen to 43, officials said Monday.

“According to the information we have gathered from the bereaved families so far, the number of dead is 43,” local administration official Saleem Gandapur told AFP.

“There is a possibility that the final death toll may be higher as we are still compiling the data from the affected families.”

Hospital and security officials earlier put the toll at 35 dead and dozens wounded.

The blast took place on Sunday in Zarghon village near the tribal town of Darra Adam Khel, where Pakistani troops were involved in violent clashes with Islamic militants earlier this year

A suicide bomber blew himself up during a peace jirga or traditional gathering of tribal leaders, elders and local officials aimed at devising a strategy to deal with rising militancy in the area, officials said.

The bomber, believed to be a teenager, approached the meeting of hundreds of tribesmen on foot and blew himself up, they said.