SWAT: Awami National Party (ANP) executive committee member Mumtaz Ali Khan escaped an assassination attempt after his car was targeted with a remote-controlled bomb in Swat district on Wednesday.

According to the Matta police, the incident occurred around 11 am in the Shakardara area of Matta tehsil, where Mumtaz Ali Khan and his companions were travelling to attend a funeral in Arkot. A remote-controlled explosive device, planted in a wall along the roadside, detonated as their vehicle passed by, damaging the front portion of the car.

“Fortunately, all occupants, including Mumtaz Ali Khan, remained completely unhurt,” a police official said. Authorities added that the ANP leader has lost about 10 family members, including his father, brother and son, in terrorist attacks.

Swat District Police Officer Umar Khan stated the Swat police and the counter-terrorism department of police had launched an investigation. “We are examining all possible angles and will soon bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.

Jirga raises alarm on presence of militants, reiterates call for concrete steps

Meanwhile, the Swat Qaumi Jirga issued a statement expressing outrage over the “heinous and inhumane act”. It described the bombing as a cowardly attempt to spread fear among the Swat citizens and noted that such incidents reflected the deteriorating security situation in the region.

It reiterated that the Swat jirga had repeatedly warned authorities that heavily armed militant groups, allegedly enjoying state patronage, had once again taken refuge in the mountainous areas of Swat.

The statement noted that the family of Shaheed Muzafar Ali Khan, another prominent leader of the Swat Qaumi Jirga, had already suffered irreparable losses due to terrorism.

The jirga declared that it reserved the right to launch public demonstrations against terrorism and oppression, and announced that a collective strategy and plan of action would soon be finalised after consultations among senior members.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2025