Death toll from suicide bombing near police station in Swat rises to 19

SWAT: The death toll from Sunday’s suicide bombing near a police station in Swat rose to 19 on Monday, with police saying that four more victims had succumbed to their injuries.

The suicide bombing had taken place near the Kabal Police Station while a protest against lawlessness was under way at the adjoining public square. Police said that the suicide bomber had detonated his explosives after police personnel atte­mpted to stop and search him at the entrance to the police station.

The bombing had claimed the lives of 15 people, including police officials, and left 18 injured.

“However, four more victims succumbed to their injuries during treatment, raising the death toll to 19,” Swat police spokesperson Nasir Iqbal Karimi said in a statement.

The statement added that a large-scale rescue operation was launched immediately after the attack, in which more than 50 Rescue 1122 personnel participated.

“Rescue teams provided first aid at the scene before shifting the injured to various hospitals for further treatment. Authorities are continuing relief efforts as investigations into the suicide attack remain under way,” it said.

In a separate statement, Swat police said the funeral prayers of two policemen martyred in the suicide attack were held at Javed Iqbal Shaheed Police Lines on Monday.

A smartly turned-out police contingent presented a guard of honour to Constable Mukarram Khan and Constable Hussain Khan, and floral wreaths were laid on their coffins.

The ceremony was attended by Malakand Regional Police Officer Syed Fida Hassan Shah, Swat District Police Officer Muhammad Umar Khan, Superintendent of Police (operations) Ghulam Sadiq Khan, Superintendent of Police (headquarters) Ataullah, and other senior police officers.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi reached Swat on Monday to meet with the martyrs’ families. He was accompanied by Special Assistant for Home Affairs Tariq Saeed, Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah and the KP inspector general (IG) of police, according to a statement issued by the CM office.

In Swat, he visited Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan Hospital in Saidu Sharif and inquired about the health of those injured in the suicide attack.

The chief minister directed the hospital administration to ensure the provision of best possible medical treatment to all the injured, the statement said.

It added that the CM also chaired a high-level meeting at the Jirga Hall in Saidu Sharif. At the meeting, which was also attended by senior officials, the CM was briefed on the overall law and order situation in Swat and Malakand Division.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to restoring peace, the chief minister said there would be no compromise on law and order in Swat and the Malakand Division. He directed the relevant authorities to launch a full-scale operation against terrorists and ensure that peace and stability were restored.

Lawyers, traders denounce blast, observe strike

Meanwhile, lawyers across Swat and Upper Swat observed a complete strike to condemn the suicide bombing. Court proceedings remained suspended as members of the legal fraternity expressed solidarity with the victims and called for stronger measures to eliminate terrorism.

A shutter-down strike was also observed across Kabal tehsil, where markets and bazaars remained closed in protest against the attack.

Traders, business owners and residents denounced the bombing, offered condolences to the bereaved families, and urged the government to ensure lasting peace and bring those responsible to justice.

Separately, elders of the Swat Qaumi Jirga, traders, lawyers, and youth representatives have announced a protest demonstration at Nishat Chowk, Mingora, on August 7 to condemn the recent wave of terrorism in the region.

The organisers said the protest aims to express solidarity with the victims of terrorist attacks, demand lasting peace, and urge the government to take decisive action against terrorist groups operating in the area.

KP has seen an uptick in terrorist activity. According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies’s monthly security assessment, KP, excluding the merged districts, recorded 154 terrorism related deaths in July, compared with 75 in June, representing an increase of 105 per cent.