PESHAWAR: The police said Wednesday they arrested a teenager carrying a small quantity of explosives at an election campaign rally for opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.
The boy, aged about 16, was caught at the gate of the rally, held amid tight security. "He was carrying explosive material. We are investigating," city police chief Mohammad Tahir said. He gave no details.
Shaheen Khan, an official who was on security duty at the rally, said the boy was carrying explosive material and nails in his pocket.
He said the quantity of explosives — about 200 grams (seven ounces) — would not have caused casualties but could have set off panic in the crowd.
The boy said he had attended a wedding the previous night and forgot to empty his pocket before coming to the rally, Khan said.
Fireworks are traditionally used to celebrate weddings in the region. Pakistan’s worst ever suicide attack was at a parade for Bhutto in October, when 139 people were killed
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