In Pakistan’s most troubled province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, fearless terrorists targeted the convoy of ambassadors of 12 countries including Russia on Sunday. The terrorists tried to blow up a police security van of the convoy with a remote control bomb. One soldier lost his life in the blast. Five others were injured. The injured have been admitted to the district hospital of Saidu Sharif. All the foreign ambassadors are said to be safe. They have been sent to Islamabad under tight security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Dawn newspaper reported, citing local police and the Foreign Office, that Malam was returning to Islamabad from Jabba with a diplomatic delegation from 12 countries when his security police van was targeted. According to Swat District Police Officer Zahidullah Khan, the van was targeted with an explosive device. The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that all the diplomats visiting Swat remained safe in the attack and returned to Islamabad.
Police officer Khan said the injured policemen were rushed to a nearby hospital. One of them succumbed there. He was identified as constable Burhan. The injured included Sub Inspector Sir Jameen Khan, constable Mohammad Khan, Hussain Gul, Amanullah and driver Rahmatullah. After the blast, a large contingent of police and security forces cordoned off the area and began investigation. According to police officials, it is not clear whether it was a remote-controlled bomb or a timed device. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has sought a report from the provincial police chief.
District police officer Khan said the foreign dignitaries were invited by the Islamabad and Swat Chambers of Commerce to promote the region’s local industries, including handicrafts and gems. The delegation included representatives from Indonesia, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, Iran, Russia and Tajikistan. Russia’s embassy in Islamabad said in a statement that its ambassador remained unharmed in the attack. “On September 22, Ambassador Albert P. Khorev, along with several other ambassadors, attended the Swat tourism summit of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry,” the embassy said in a post on X.
President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi have condemned the attack. According to a statement issued by President House, Zardari also paid tributes to the police constable. He also expressed condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the blast. “Terrorist elements are the enemies not only of the country and the nation but also of humanity,” the President said. In his message, the Prime Minister expressed his condolences to the bereaved family members. The Prime Minister is currently in London. A statement issued from the office of Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said, “Our condolences are with the families of the killed and injured police personnel. We respect our law enforcement officers who remain steadfast in the face of terrorists.
Other reports said that heavy police force is still deployed at the spot. No terrorist organization has claimed responsibility for this attack. According to police officials, all the ambassadors participated in the Chamber of Commerce program in Mingora. After this they were going to Malam Jabba. Then this blast took place in Sherabad.