BAJAUR/SWAT: KP Advisor on Information and Public Relations Barrister Dr Muhammad Ali Saif on Thursday said that the provincial government would take ‘strong and coordinated action’ against those involved in destroying peace in Bajaur.

He talking to media persons in Bajaur after visiting district headquarters hospital Khar to inquire about the health of those injured in the Wednesday’s explosion, as Assistant Commissioner Nawagai Faisal Ismail and four others were martyred.

He said that all the stakeholders were on the same page to eliminate the enemies of peace, development and prosperity in district. He stated that the provincial government would provide compensation to the families of all the victims, as per the ‘Shuhda Package’, and would also provide compensation to those wounded.

Speaking on the occasion, IGP Zulfqar Hameed told reporters that “an investigation team of the CTDC has been formed to probe the Bajaur blast.

“We have formed a special investigation team on the special instructions of the chief minister to ascertain the motive behind the incident and identify those involved,” he added, saying an FIR has also been registered against the unknown assailants.

Earlier, during the visit to the district headquarters hospital Khar, Mr Saif directed the hospital management to ensure the best healthcare facilities to the wounded.

The KP advisor, the chief secretary, and the police chief also met with a delegation of local elders to discuss the law and order situation, while they also participated in a joint briefing on the Wednesday’s blast from the district administration and local police.

Meanwhile, a high-level delegation of the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday visited the family of martyred Assistant Commissioner Faisal Ismail in Odigram, Swat, on the special instructions of KP Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur.

The delegation included KP Advisor on Information and Public Relations Barrister Dr Muhammad Ali Saif, Special Assistant to the CM on Housing, Dr Amjad Ali, Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah and Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed.

Expressing their deep sorrow over the tragic Bajaur blast, the delegation offered condolences and Fateha with the martyred AC’s father, Muhammad Ismail and other family members. Malakand Commissioner Abid Wazir and Swat Deputy Commissioner Salim Jan were also present.

“AC Faisal Ismail set the supreme example of bravery and dedication by sacrificing his life for peace and public service. His sacrifice will never be forgotten,” said Barrister Saif.

Dr Saif further confirmed that Chief Minister Gandapur had taken serious notice of the Bajaur incident, stressing that the nefarious designs of terrorists would be thwarted at all costs.

Meanwhile, the first information report (FIR) of the Wednesday’s remote-controlled blast, wherein five persons including an Assistant Commissioner were martyred and 17 others injured, was registered at Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) police station in Bajaur on Thursday.

The FIR against unknown terrorists was lodged on the complaint of Khar Station House Officer Rashid Ahmed was registered under the Terrorism Act 7 ATA, 427, 4 ESA (the Explosive Substance Act) and PPC 302 sections, a copy of which was available with Dawn.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2025