At least 40 people were killed in an explosion at a political gathering in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday, Geo News reported, citing local officials.
The report did not mention a possible cause for the blast that took place at a gathering of the conservative Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) party, known for its links to hardline politics, in the former tribal area of Bajaur.
Bilal Faizi a spokesman for Rescue 1122, a first-responder service in the province, told Reuters that 17 had been killed according to initial reports, but over 70 were injured and the toll could rise.
Pakistan has seen a resurgence of attacks by militants since last year when a ceasefire between the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamabad broke down.
The TTP pledges allegiance to, but is not directly a part of, Afghanistan's Taliban.


Six killed in shooting in main square of Krakow, police say
Russian strikes hit power facilities around Kyiv, damage major bridge
Heavy rains flood tents housing displaced Palestinians, aid shortages worsen
Qatar says its mediation efforts between US and Iran continue to prevent escalation
Pope Leo urges South America to bridge divides on Uruguay-Argentina border
