A policeman was martyred and four others were injured in an IED blast targeting a police van escorting diplomats near Malam Jabba in Swat on Sunday.
The foreign ministry in Islamabad confirmed the attack, stating that “all members of the diplomatic corps” safely returned to Islamabad. Local police officials reported that the IED was remotely detonated.
Swat District Police Officer (DPO) Zahidullah Khan said the diplomats were visiting the Swat Valley at the invitation of the local chamber of commerce to promote it as a tourist destination. The leading convoy was hit by a roadside bomb, he added.
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The attack occurred when a mobile van from Mangalor Police Station was patrolling Malam Jabba Road, and unknown assailants detonated the bomb via remote control at Jahanabad.
As a result, one policeman, Burhan, was martyred, while the foreign delegation remained unharmed, the DPO confirmed. Four policemen, including Constables Hussain Gul, Sarzameen, and Amanullah, sustained serious injuries and were taken to Saidu Sharif Hospital for treatment. Security forces have cordoned off the area and initiated a search operation.
Sources said the police van was providing protocol to nearly a dozen diplomats traveling from Malam Jabba. The diplomats were unharmed as their vehicle was behind the police van at a safe distance.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Mohammad Ali Gandapur assured that the ambassadors were moved to a safe location before departing for Islamabad.
The foreign ministry said in a statement that the diplomats, en route to Islamabad from Malam Jabba and Swat, witnessed the incident. An advance police vehicle was struck by an IED, resulting in one fatality among the police, it added. The ministry expressed sympathies to the families of the martyred policeman and the injured, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to fighting terrorism.
President Asif Zardari condemned the blast in a statement from his office, paying tribute to the fallen officer and extending condolences to the bereaved families. He emphasized the resolve to eliminate terrorism, calling the perpetrators enemies of both the nation and humanity.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also condemned the explosion and requested a report from the police. He announced financial aid for the family of the martyred officer.
K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the attack and criticized the provincial government for failing to curb terrorism, stating that the targeted attack on security forces escorting diplomats from 11 countries was a dangerous incident. He warned that it could further isolate Khyber Pakhtunkhwa diplomatically.
The governor termed the attack a conspiracy against Islam and Pakistan, and criticized the provincial government for neglecting security concerns, accusing them of inaction against growing terrorist threats.
The Swat valley has long been a hotspot for militant insurgencies, and the situation has worsened since militants broke a ceasefire with the government in late 2022. The area has previously experienced attacks, including on a hotel in Malam Jabba and a police station in Banjot. Protests from locals have not succeeded in improving the security situation.
