Remote-Controlled Bomb
SWAT: At least one police officer was martyred, and four others were injured in a remote-controlled bomb explosion that targeted a police van in Swat on Sunday. The blast occurred while the van was escorting a convoy of foreign diplomats traveling to Malam Jabba from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swat district.
District Police Officer (DPO) Zahidullah Khan confirmed the incident, stating that the attack was aimed at the police officers protecting the group of diplomats.
The explosion resulted in the tragic death of one officer, identified as Burhan, while four other officers, including a sub-inspector, sustained injuries. Fortunately, all foreign diplomats in the convoy were reported safe and were promptly relocated to Islamabad after the incident.
The convoy was made up of 11 foreign diplomats who had attended an event at the Chamber of Commerce in Mingora prior to the attack, which took place in the suburban area of Sherabad. Among the diplomats were ambassadors from various countries, including Russia, Portugal, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Iran.
The wounded officers were immediately taken to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) in Saidu Sharif for medical treatment. Following the explosion, a significant presence of law enforcement agencies was deployed to secure the area.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Mohammad Ali Gandapur confirmed the safety of all ambassadors and emphasized that they had been moved to a secure location before departing for the capital. As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
In the wake of this incident, prominent political figures expressed their condemnation. President Asif Ali Zardari strongly denounced the attack and paid tribute to the martyred officer, offering condolences to his family while reaffirming a commitment to eradicate terrorism.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed these sentiments, praying for the martyred officer and instructing relevant authorities to provide necessary medical aid to the injured.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned the attack, stating that the sacrifices made by security forces in the fight against terrorism will not be in vain.
The Foreign Office issued a statement acknowledging the incident, confirming that an advance scout police vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED), resulting in casualties among the police detail. They expressed sympathies for the families of the deceased officer and the injured.
The incident highlights the increasing violence in the region, particularly since the Taliban regained control in Afghanistan in 2021.
The frequency of terrorist attacks has surged, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, as detailed in a report from the Pak Institute for Peace Studies. In August alone, there was a significant spike in incidents, indicating a worrying trend that has prompted renewed efforts for counter-terrorism operations.
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