SWAT: The death toll from Sunday’s suicide bombing outside Kabal Police Station in Swat has risen to 17, while 19 others were injured, including two who remain in critical condition, according to police.
Officials said the blast partially damaged the main gate of the police station. Swat District Police Officer Muhammad Umar Khan said the suspected suicide bomber’s head had been recovered from the scene, while preliminary investigations indicated that the attacker was allegedly an Afghan national.
A peace rally and public gathering were taking place near the police station when the explosion occurred, triggering panic among participants. Several people were killed or injured in the blast and the ensuing stampede.
A police spokesperson said terrorists belonging to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also referred to as Fitna al-Khawarij by the government, carried out the suicide attack outside the main entrance of the police station, resulting in the martyrdom of police personnel and civilians. All victims were shifted to Central Hospital Swat for treatment.
A heavy police contingent, led by DPO Muhammad Umar Khan, reached the site immediately after the attack. Authorities cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to identify and arrest the facilitators behind the bombing.
“The perpetrators of this attack and their facilitators will be identified and brought to justice,” the DPO said.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack and expressed deep grief over the loss of lives.
The prime minister extended condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for the departed souls and directed authorities to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured.
“The government’s fight against the scourge of terrorism will continue until it is completely eradicated,” the prime minister said.
President Zardari also offered condolences to the victims’ families, directed authorities to provide the best available medical care to the injured and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the attack.
“Terrorists will never succeed in their malicious attempts to undermine peace, national unity and the writ of the state,” the president said, adding that the sacrifices of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police and other law enforcement agencies were a source of pride for the nation.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi condemned the attack, sought a report from the provincial inspector general of police and instructed officials to ensure the best medical treatment for the injured.
“The KP Police continue to make immense sacrifices to protect the lives and property of the people,” he said, adding that enemies of peace would not be allowed to succeed.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the bombing, saying the police personnel who embraced martyrdom prevented the suicide bomber from entering the police station.
“The brave policemen set the highest example of courage and duty by sacrificing their lives to save others,” Naqvi said while paying tribute to the martyred officers and praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Reacting to the tragedy, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai said she was heartbroken by the suicide attack in her hometown and extended her deepest condolences to the families of the victims, saying she could not imagine their pain.