A deadly bombing attack in Swat Valley in Pakistan’s restive northwestern mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region has left several casualties.
At least 14 people, including eight officers, were killed and 22 others injured in a suicide attack on Swat’s Kabal police station on Sunday.
Deputy Inspector General of Police in Swat District, Fida Hussain, confirmed the number of casualties. He said the casualties of the attack had been transferred to the Saidu Sharif Teaching Hospital.
Swat District police chief, Umar Khan, said the suspected bomber, who was killed in the blast, detonated the explosives after police personnel attempted to stop and search him at the entrance of the police station.
“Security forces have cordoned off the area, and an investigation is underway to collect further evidence,“ he added.
The blast occurred in front of the gate of Kabal station as an anti-violence rally by protesters was being held in front of the police building.
The explosion triggered panic among the demonstrators, prompting them to flee the scene.
The demonstrators at the rally had demanded police intervention to end a recent wave of terror and violence in Swat Valley.
The protest rally had drawn a large crowd from across the district, and the attack took place as the final speaker was addressing the group.
“Our children deserve education, and our families deserve to live in peace,” one speaker insisted at the rally. “We have witnessed years of bloodshed. Our mothers, sisters, and daughters have suffered immensely, and we do not want another generation of widows and orphans.”
The protesters called on Rawalpindi and Islamabad to devise a plan to ensure lasting peace in the restive region.
Till now, no group or entity has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Militants belonging to extremist groups, particularly members of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), are often behind such deadly attacks inside the country, according to Islamabad.
The TTP is recognized as an independent terrorist group with its members having links to the Afghan Taliban.
However, Afghan Taliban officials in Kabul reject Pakistani claims, denying any involvement with the group.
