The blast occurred near Kabal Chowk, where residents had assembled for the ‘Olasi Pasoon’ peace gathering
At least 14 people were killed and 20 others injured on Sunday when a suicide bomber struck outside the Kabal Police Station in Pakistan’s Swat district during a large public rally against terrorism, police officials said. On 30 July, nine police officers were killed in an attack on a police checkpost in Hangu.
“Our children deserve education, and our families deserve to live in peace,” one speaker told the crowd. The attacker detonated explosives after officers attempted to stop and search him at the entrance of the police station, triggering panic among hundreds of demonstrators gathered nearby. The attack took place as the final speaker was addressing the gathering, causing widespread panic among those attending the rally. Rescue teams, police and local authorities rushed to the scene, and the injured were taken to Saidu Sharif Teaching Hospital for treatment. No group had claimed responsibility for the bombing by Sunday evening. The bombing came amid a sharp increase in militant violence across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Earlier on Sunday, an improvised explosive device blast near the Peshawar-Islamabad motorway toll plaza injured two police officers in Peshawar.
Death toll rises as investigation begins
Swat police spokesperson Nasir Iqbal Karimi confirmed that 14 people had died in the explosion. Earlier, Swat Deputy Inspector General of Police Fida Hussain said seven people, including four police officers, had been killed and 20 injured, but the death toll was later revised upward. He said security forces had cordoned off the area and launched an investigation to gather further evidence.
The bomber blew himself up after police personnel tried to search him at the station gate, according to Swat District Police Officer Umar Khan. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow over the loss of life and called for a comprehensive investigation into the bombing. He directed the relevant authorities to provide the best medical facilities to those injured.