SWAT: The death toll from Sunday’s suicide bombing near a police station in Swat rose to 19 on Monday, with police saying that four more victims had succumbed to their injuries.

The suicide bombing had taken place near the Kabal Police Station while a protest against lawlessness was under way at the adjoining public square. Police said that the suicide bomber had detonated his explosives after police personnel atte­mpted to stop and search him at the entrance to the police station.

The bombing had claimed the lives of 15 people, including police officials, and left 18 injured.

“However, four more victims succumbed to their injuries during treatment, raising the death toll to 19,” Swat police spokesperson Nasir Iqbal Karimi said in a statement.

The statement added that a large-scale rescue operation was launched immediately after the attack, in which more than 50 Rescue 1122 personnel participated.

“Rescue teams provided first aid at the scene before shifting the injured to various hospitals for further treatment. Authorities are continuing relief efforts as investigations into the suicide attack remain under way,” it said.

In a separate statement, Swat police said the funeral prayers of two policemen martyred in the suicide attack were held at Javed Iqbal Shaheed Police Lines on Monday.

A smartly turned-out police contingent presented a guard of honour to Constable Mukarram Khan and Constable Hussain Khan, and floral wreaths were laid on their coffins.

The ceremony was attended by Malakand Regional Police Officer Syed Fida Hassan Shah, Swat District Police Officer Muhammad Umar Khan, Superintendent of Police (operations) Ghulam Sadiq Khan, Superintendent of Police (headquarters) Ataullah, and other senior police officers.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi reached Swat on Monday to meet with the martyrs’ families, accompanied by Special Assistant for Home Affairs Tariq Saeed, Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah and the Inspector General (IG) of Police, according to a statement issued by the CM office.

CM Afridi expressed his heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families. He also visited Saidu Sharif Teaching Hospital to meet those injured in the Sunday blast and assured that the best medical facilities would be provided to the injured.

The chief minister also presided over a high-level meeting regarding the law and order situation in Swat, in which he was given a detailed briefing on the blast, the security situation and ongoing operations.

“The people and police of KP are bearing the brunt of the federal government’s flawed policies,” CM Afridi said during the meeting.

He vowed that the sacrifices made by KP police and citizens in the war against terrorism would not go in vain.

“The people, police and all political and religious forces of KP must stand united for the sake of peace,” CM said.

Terming the current stage of the war against terrorism a “decisive phase”, he said that the goal is terrorism’s “complete eradication”.

“We will go to any lengths to ensure the protection of the KP police and the public,” he added. CM Afridi stated that Rs20 billion had been allocated to support KP police in its fight against terrorism. He said that KP police had been combating terrorism for 22 years.

“Our police is a capable, fearless, and courageous force.”

CM Afridi promised that the provincial government would restore peace in KP.

Lawyers, traders denounce blast, observe strike

Meanwhile, lawyers across Swat and Upper Swat observed a complete strike to condemn the suicide bombing. Court proceedings remained suspended as members of the legal fraternity expressed solidarity with the victims and called for stronger measures to eliminate terrorism.

A shutter-down strike was also observed across Kabal tehsil, where markets and bazaars remained closed in protest against the attack.

Traders, business owners and residents denounced the bombing, offered condolences to the bereaved families, and urged the government to ensure lasting peace and bring those responsible to justice.

Separately, elders of the Swat Qaumi Jirga, traders, lawyers, and youth representatives have announced a protest demonstration at Nishat Chowk, Mingora, on August 7 to condemn the recent wave of terrorism in the region.

The organisers said the protest aims to express solidarity with the victims of terrorist attacks, demand lasting peace, and urge the government to take decisive action against terrorist groups operating in the area.

KP has seen an uptick in terrorist activity. According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies’s monthly security assessment, KP, excluding the merged districts, recorded 154 terrorism related deaths in July, compared with 75 in June, representing an increase of 105 per cent.