Diplomatic escort hit by IED in Swat

A policeman was martyred and four others were injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast targeting a police van escorting a group of diplomats near the tourist spot of Malam Jabba in the Swat district on Sunday.

The foreign ministry in Islamabad confirmed the IED blast in a statement, assuring that "all members of the diplomatic corps" returned safely to Islamabad. The local police chief reported that the IED was detonated via remote control.

Swat District Police Officer (DPO) Zahidullah Khan said that the diplomats were visiting the Swat Valley on the invitation of the local chamber of commerce to promote it as a potential tourist destination. "The squad leading the convoy was struck by a roadside bomb," he said.

"A mobile van from the Mangalor Police Station was patrolling Malam Jabba Road when unknown assailants targeted it with a remote-controlled bomb at Jahanabad," he added.

"As a result, one policeman, Burhan, was martyred. The foreign delegation was safe in the attack," he added.

The DPO stated that four other policemen, including Constable Hussain Gul, Sarzameen and Amanullah were seriously injured in the blast, who had been shifted to Saidu Sharif Hospital for medical assistance. "The security forces have cordoned off the area and started a search operation," he added.

Sources said that the police mobile van was participating in the protocol of nearly a dozen diplomats, who were en route from Malam Jabba. They added that the foreign delegation was unharmed because their vehicle was behind the van at a distance.

"All the ambassadors remained safe in the attack and had been shifted to a safe place before their departure to Islamabad," Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Mohammad Ali Gandapur told Reuters.

The foreign ministry said that a group of diplomats traveling to Islamabad after their trip to Malam Jabba and Swat witnessed an incident. "An advance scout police vehicle was hit by an IED which resulted in a casualty of the police detail," it said in a statement.

"All members of the diplomatic corps have returned safely to Islamabad," said the statement. "Our sympathies are with the families of the Shaheed policeman and three injured in the incident," the statement continued.

"We honour our law-enforcement authorities that remain steadfast in the face of terrorists. Such acts will not deter Pakistan from its commitment towards the fight against terrorism," said the statement, issued by the office of the foreign minister.

President Asif Zardari condemned the blast in Swat, according to a statement issued by the President's Office. He paid tribute to the martyred police officer and expressed condolences to the bereaved families.

The president said that terrorist elements were enemies not only of the country and the nation but also of humanity. He expressed his resolve to continue efforts for the complete elimination of terrorism from the country.

Also, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur strongly condemned the explosion on Malam Jabba Road and has sought a report of the incident from the police. The chief minister said that financial support would be provided to the family of the martyr.

K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned that attack and criticised the provincial government for failing to control terrorism. "The targeted attack on the security personnel escorting diplomats from 11 countries is an alarming and unfortunate incident," he said in a social media post.

"This act not only endangers lives but also risks further isolating Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa diplomatically. It is clear that the provincial government is not sincere in its efforts to establish peace; their inaction is only emboldening terrorists," he wrote on X.

The governor termed the attack a part of a larger conspiracy by the enemies of Islam and Pakistan. "The incompetence and negligence of the provincial government in addressing security concerns is becoming unbearable. They talk but fail to take real action," he said.

Pakistani counter-terrorist forces maintain a strong presence in the Swat valley, which has long been a hotbed of militant insurgency. The militants have stepped up their attacks since late 2022 after breaking a ceasefire with the government.

Previously, the district saw major terrorist attacks on a hotel in Malam Jabba and a police station in Banjot. There had also been protests rallies in the area by the local people against these incidents but the law and order problem in the area remained the same.

(WITH INPUT FROM AGENCIES)