Mingora blast: death toll rises to 26

Police confirm bomb attack; up to 35 suspects detained.

MINGORA/ SWAT:

While Swat mourned Thursday’s blast at a religious gathering in Takhta Band, the death toll rose up to 26 on Friday.

The blast that tore through the suburban village of Swat had killed 22 while seriously injuring another 87 people.

The Swat police in their initial investigation report confirmed that the explosion was a result of a bomb blast which contained five kilogrammes of explosives. The Khyber-Pakhtunkwa (K-P) Bomb Disposal Squad Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Shafqat Malik informed that the bomb was brought to the targeted place in a cooking utensil.

Saidu Sharif Hospital Medical Superintendant Dr Khursheed maintained that a total of 87 injured people were brought in the hospital, most of whom were immediately discharged after being given first aid. Meanwhile, another 40 gravely injured people were kept under observation.

Sources revealed that security around the hospital was also beefed up. Security forces were deployed at all entrance and exit point of the Saidu Sharif Hospital. No one was allowed to visit the victims without showing proof of identity.

The police also arrested 35 suspects after an FIR was registered against unidentified men in the Rahimanbad police station.

Soon after the incident the police had launched an investigation and arrested 35 suspects who were later shifted to an unknown location for further investigation.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. However, ironically the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan  condemned the attack and offered sympathies to the bereaved, in a message to various media organisations.

Security was high around Swat, not just at the hospital. Police presence at every checkpoint was increased. Security forces were also seen patrolling outside mosques during Friday prayers. A special prayer for those killed was also said in all the mosques.

Condemning the attack, the Swat Bar Association boycotted district court proceedings. Likewise, local political leaders, social activists, religious party leaders also condemned the attack and termed it inhumane.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12^th, 2013.