Pakistani Taleban kills 21 at rally in Peshawar

The Pakistani Taleban has claimed a suicide bombing at a rally that killed a secular politician and 20 others two weeks before nationwide elections.

Mohammad Khurasani, a spokesman for the Pakistani Taleban, said they targeted the Awami National Party rally in the northwestern city of Peshawar, killing Haroon Ahmed Bilour, a candidate for a seat in the provincial legislature. Another 65 people were wounded.

Islamic extremists grew to despise the ANP when it ruled the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, of which Peshawar is the capital, from 2008 to 2013.

During that time the military waged a major offensive against militants in the Swat Valley. The militants responded with a wave of attacks ahead of the 2013 elections, killing hundreds of ANP supporters.