14 dead, 18 injured in suicide blast near Swat police station
• Explosion occurred during anti-terror protest at Kabal Chowk
• Officers say many policemen also martyred
• President, KP governor, CM condemn attack
• Forces kill Hangu checkpost attack mastermind
SWAT: At least 14 people lost their lives and 18 others were injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up near the Kabal Police Station, as a protest against lawlessness was underway at the adjoining public square in Swat on Sunday, police said.
The explosion occurred near the gate of the police station, while hundreds of people had gathered to participate in a public demonstration at nearby Kabal Chowk.
They were protesting against the recent wave of terrorism in the Swat Valley.
Malakand Division Deputy Inspector General of Police Fida Hussain told AFP that a number of police officers were also martyred in the attack, but their exact number was not clear.
According to Swat District Police Officer Umar Khan, the suicide bomber detonated his explosives after police personnel attempted to stop and search him at the entrance to the police station.
“Our [personnel] are on high alert and fully prepared to respond to any untoward situation. Security forces have cordoned off the area and an investigation is under way,” the DPO said.
The protest had drawn a large crowd from across the district. Among the prominent speakers were Olasi Pasoon chief Aftab Khan, Jawad Khan, Ghairat Yousafzai, Nazif Lala, Ajab Khan Toyaley, Ijaz Khan and Adalat Khan.
Addressing the gathering before the blast, the speakers condemned the resurgence of terrorism in Swat and demanded that the government ensure lasting peace.
They said their movement had a single agenda, ie restoration of peace and elimination of terrorism from the region.
The speakers stressed that maintaining law and order and eradicating terrorism were the responsibility of the government.
They warned that continued insecurity could trigger widespread public unrest.
The speakers also criticised the authorities for what they described as action against peaceful citizens while militants continued to operate in the mountainous areas of Swat.
They alleged that militants were openly circulating videos on social media and questioned why stronger action had not been taken against them.
“Our children deserve education and our families deserve to live in peace,” one speaker told the gathering.
“We have witnessed years of bloodshed. Our mothers, sisters and daughters have suffered immensely, and we do not want another generation of widows and orphans,” another speaker said.
The suicide attack occurred while the final speaker was addressing the gathering, triggering panic among participants.
The bodies of nine victims were shifted to Central Hospital Saidu Sharif, while the bodies of five others were moved to Kabal Hospital, where doctors confirmed their deaths, said Rescue 1122 Spokesperson Bilal Ahmed Faizi.
Security forces sealed the area and launched a search operation, while investigators began collecting evidence from the blast site.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
Condemnations
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow over the loss of life and called for a comprehensive investigation into the incident, according to a statement issued by his office on X.
“Terrorists will never succeed in their nefarious efforts to undermine peace, national unity and the writ of the state,” he was quoted as saying.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned the blast. “Terrorists cannot demoralise the nation with cowardly attacks,” Mr Kundi said KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also condemned the incident and sought a report from the KP inspector general of police and offered condolences to the families of the deceased.
Hangu attack mastermind
Meanwhile, security forces killed the mastermind behind the July 30 attack on a police checkpost in Hangu, which had claimed the lives of nine police officials, a senior security official told Dawn on Sunday.
Security sources said the slain terrorist was identified as Amir Mauviya and was killed during an intelligence-based operation in Hangu’s Chapri Naryab area.
Sources said the slain terrorist held an important position in Fitna al Khawarij in Kurram and was wanted in several other terrorism cases. Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for the banned TTP.
Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2026
