Pakistan: Suicide blast kills 14, injures dozens during peace rally in Swat
At least 14 people, including five security personnel, were killed and more than a dozen injured in a suspected suicide attack near a police compound during a peace rally in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday: Officials.
The explosion took place in Kabal town of Swat district as the Swat Peace Rally was being held outside the police station.
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.
Nine bodies were taken to Central Hospital Saidu Sharif, while doctors at Kabal Hospital confirmed five more deaths, taking the toll to 14, a Rescue 1122 spokesperson said.
The deceased included five police personnel, three civilians and a child, according to the Malakand deputy inspector general of police.
The Swat Peace Rally was organised by the Swat Aman Jirga, a local tribal council, with participants carrying placards and raising slogans demanding peace in the region. The organisers also alleged that police inaction had contributed to the deterioration in the security situation in recent months.
According to Swat District Police Officer, the suspected suicide bomber tried to enter the Kabal Police Station and Police Lines compound but was stopped by police personnel at the main gate.
The attacker then detonated the explosives, damaging the gate and blocking access to the heavily guarded compound, the officer said.
Malakand Regional Police Officer Syed Fida Hassan Shah said the police response had prevented a larger tragedy, as the casualties could have been significantly higher had the attacker entered the compound.
The Kabal Police Compound houses the police station, Police Lines, a facilitation centre and several other government offices.
Rescue teams, working under the direction of Rescue 1122 Director General Shah Fahad, provided emergency medical assistance to more than 15 injured people and shifted them to hospitals for treatment, officials said.
Security forces cordoned off the area and launched an investigation, while forensic teams collected evidence to determine the circumstances and nature of the attack.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Suhail Afridi condemned the blast and directed the provincial inspector general of police to submit a report on the incident.
The chief minister expressed condolences to the families of those killed, while provincial Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned the attack.
