By Our Correspondent
PESHAWAR – At least 14 people, including police personnel, were killed and more than two dozen others injured when a suicide bomber struck an anti-militancy demonstration near Kabal police station in Swat on Sunday.
The explosion took place as hundreds of people gathered at Kabal Chowk to protest against the renewed threat of militancy in the Swat Valley and call for lasting peace.
According to police officials, the attacker approached the entrance of Kabal police station and detonated explosives after security personnel tried to stop and search him.
Swat District Police Officer Umar Khan said the area was immediately sealed following the blast, while security personnel launched a search operation to collect evidence and determine whether any accomplices were involved.
The injured were transported to Saidu Sharif Teaching Hospital, where they were receiving medical treatment.
The blast caused panic among the protesters, who had gathered to denounce the resurgence of terrorism in the region. The explosion occurred while the final speaker was addressing the gathering.
Earlier, speakers at the rally had demanded stronger action against militants and urged the government to ensure the safety of residents. They said people in Swat had endured years of violence and wanted their children to grow up in a secure environment.
No militant group had immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing.
The attack came amid a fresh rise in militant violence across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Earlier on Sunday, an improvised explosive device near a motorway toll plaza in Peshawar injured two policemen.
On July 30, nine policemen were killed in a militant attack on a police checkpost in Hangu.
Security data also indicates a sharp deterioration in the security situation. The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies reported that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, excluding the merged tribal districts, recorded 154 terrorism-related deaths in July, compared with 75 in June.
The latest violence has renewed concerns over the ability of militants to target both security personnel and public gatherings in the province.
Leaders condemn attack
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi strongly condemned the bombing and expressed grief over the deaths. He said such attacks would not weaken the resolve of the people or security forces.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also condemned the incident and directed the provincial police chief to submit a report on the attack.
He expressed condolences to the families of those killed and said elements attempting to undermine peace would not be allowed to achieve their objectives.
Security agencies have begun an investigation into the bombing, while additional security measures have been imposed around the affected area.
