Explosion claims cleric’s life in Wana
• Toll from Swat suicide bombing rises to 17, with seven cops martyred
• Shutter-down strike observed across Kabal to condemn attack claimed by TTP
• KP CM vows full-scale operation against terrorists
LOWER SOUTH WAZIRISTAN / SWAT: A religious scholar was killed in an explosion, suspected to have been caused by a ‘pressure bomb’, at a supermarket in Lower South Waziristan’s Wana on Monday, police said.
Wana Circle Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Asghar Ali Shah told Dawn that the explosion occurred on the ground floor of a supermarket in Rustam Bazaar.
He said Mufti Jana Mir Masti Khel sustained critical injuries in the explosion. He was immediately shifted to the Wana District Headquarters Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The DSP added that he, along with Wana City Police Station House Officer Usman Wazir and a large contingent of police, reached the site after the explosion. The area was cordoned off while investigators collected forensic evidence.
DSP Shah said the initial investigation suggested that the bomb had been planted to target the religious scholar.
He said police had registered an FIR, and further investigation was underway to identify the perpetrators and determine the motive behind the attack.
Swat death toll rises
Meanwhile, the death toll from Sunday’s suicide bombing near a police station in Swat rose to 17 on Monday, including several policemen.
The suicide bombing took place near Kabal Police Station while a protest against lawlessness was under way at the adjoining public square. Police said the suicide bomber detonated his explosives after personnel attempted to stop and search him at the entrance to the police station.
According to a list of casualties shared by Swat police spokesperson Nasir Iqbal Karimi, seven policemen and 10 civilians were killed in the incident, while 18 policemen and nine civilians were injured.
Mr Karimi said in a statement that a large-scale rescue operation had been launched immediately after the attack, with the participation of more than 50 Rescue 1122 personnel.
The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack, AFP reported.
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,” it added.
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.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi reached Swat on Monday to meet the families of the martyrs. He was accompanied by Special Assistant for Home Affairs Tariq Saeed, Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah and KP Inspector General of Police Zulfikar Hameed, according to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office.
In Swat, he visited Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan Hospital in Saidu Sharif and inquired after those injured in the suicide attack.
The chief minister directed the hospital administration to ensure the provision of the best possible medical treatment to all the injured, the statement said.
It added that the chief minister also chaired a high-level meeting at the Jirga Hall in Saidu Sharif. The meeting, attended by senior officials, was briefed on the overall law and order situation in Malakand Division and Swat district.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to restoring peace, the chief minister said there would be no compromise on law and order in Swat and Malakand. He directed the relevant authorities to launch a full-scale operation against terrorists and ensure that peace and stability were restored.
Lawyers across Swat observed a complete strike on Monday to condemn Sunday’s 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 remained closed.
Separately, elders of the Swat Qaumi Jirga, traders, lawyers and youth representatives announced a protest demonstration at Nishat Chowk in Mingora on Aug 7 to condemn the recent wave of terrorism in the region.
The organisers said the demonstration was aimed at expressing solidarity with the victims of terrorist attacks. It was being staged to demand lasting peace and urge the government to take decisive action against terrorist groups operating in the area.
With input from Agencies
Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2026
