Death toll from Swat police station suicide attack rises to 17

SWAT: The death toll from Sunday’s suicide bombing outside Kabal Police Station in Swat has risen to 17, while 19 people were injured, including two who remain in critical condition, police said on Monday.

According to police, the blast caused partial damage to the main gate of the police station. Swat District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Umar Khan said the suspected suicide bomber’s head had been recovered from the scene, and preliminary investigations suggested that the attacker was allegedly an Afghan national. A peace rally and public gathering was taking place near the police station at the time of the blast, and the explosion triggered panic among participants, with several people caught in the blast and ensuing stampede.

A police spokesperson said terrorists belonging to Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), also know as Fitna al-Khawarij, carried out the suicide attack outside the main entrance of Kabal Police Station, killing police personnel and civilians. All those killed and injured were shifted to the Central Hospital Swat for treatment.

A police contingent, led by DPO Umar Khan, had reached the scene immediately after the blast, while authorities cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace the attackers’ suspected facilitators. “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 sorrow over the loss of lives.

The prime minister extended his condolences to the families of the victims, prayed for the departed souls and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. He directed the relevant authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for those wounded.

“The government’s fight against the scourge of terrorism will continue until it is completely eradicated,” Shehbaz said. President Zardari also offered condolences to the bereaved families and directed the relevant authorities to ensure that the injured receive the best available medical care.

“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 made by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police and other law enforcement agencies were “a source of pride for the entire nation.” He also ordered a comprehensive investigation to bring those responsible to justice.

KP Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi condemned the attack and sought a report from the provincial inspector general of police. He expressed sympathy with the families of the victims and directed authorities 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,” the chief minister said, vowing that enemies of peace would not be allowed to succeed.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the attack, saying the police officers who sacrificed their lives had 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, paying tribute to the fallen officers and praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Reacting to the suicide attack in Swat, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai said she was “heartbroken” by the bombing in her hometown, and extended her deepest condolences to the victims’ families, saying she could not imagine their pain.