Seven martyred, 18 injured in suspected suicide attack outside Kabal police station in Swat

WEB DESK: At least seven people, including police personnel and civilians, were martyred while 18 others were injured in a suspected suicide attack outside the main gate of Kabal police station in Swat on Sunday, police said.

According to initial reports, the explosion appeared to be a suicide attack. However, officials said the Bomb Disposal Squad had reached the scene and was examining evidence to determine the exact nature of the blast. The explosion also 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 site, adding that preliminary investigations suggested the attacker may have been an Afghan national.

A police spokesperson said terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij carried out the suicide attack, resulting in the martyrdom of police personnel and civilians. The bodies of the victims and those injured were shifted to Central Hospital Swat.

A heavy police contingent, led by DPO Muhammad Umar Khan, reached the scene immediately after the blast. The area was cordoned off, while a search operation was launched to trace the attackers’ facilitators.

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The DPO vowed that those responsible for the attack, along with their facilitators, would be tracked down and brought to justice in accordance with the law.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi strongly condemned the attack and sought a detailed report from the provincial police chief. He expressed condolences to the families of the martyrs and directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured.

The chief minister said the KP Police continued to make immense sacrifices for the protection of citizens and vowed that enemies of peace would not be allowed to succeed in their objectives.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the attack and expressed grief over the loss of lives. He paid tribute to the police personnel who embraced martyrdom while preventing the suicide bomber from entering the police station, saying their courage and devotion to duty had saved countless lives. Naqvi also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the blast.