A roadside bomb killed one policeman and wounded three others on Sunday in Mallam Jabba in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as police officers were accompanying a convoy of foreign diplomats. The convoy was passing through the town of Malam Jabba in the Swat district when it was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED). "One policeman succumbed to his wounds while three others were wounded," Swat district police officer Zahidullah Khan told AFP. "Diplomats were travelling within a police convoy, and the lead police vehicle was impacted," he said, adding that no diplomats were hurt.
Khan said that a trip for foreign diplomats was organised by Islamabad and Swat's Chamber of Commerce to promote the region's local industries, including handicrafts and gemstones. Another senior police official, Muhammad Ali Khan Gandapur, confirmed the details of the incident.
Envoys from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Portugal, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Vietnam were in the convoy, Khan said. The Russian embassy in Islamabad said their ambassador was in the convoy when it was hit en route to a hotel. "An escort vehicle hit a mine. Several policemen were injured, diplomats were not harmed," the embassy said on Telegram. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Swat -- a snow-capped mountain valley split by turquoise waters -- is one of Pakistan's most famed beauty spots. In 2012 Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by the TTP while campaigning as a schoolgirl for education, activism that later earned her the Nobel Peace Prize.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed that the diplomats traveling with the convoy that was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) near Mallam Jabba, Swat remained unhurt and have safely returned to Islamabad. In a press release, the spokesperson said that a police convoy escorting a group of diplomats near Malam Jabba, Swat, was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) today, resulting in the martyrdom of one policeman and injuries to three others. The group of diplomats was traveling to Islamabad after their trip to Malam Jabba and Swat.
“Our sympathies are with the families of the Shaheed policeman and three injured in the incident,” the spokesperson said. “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,” the spokesperson added.
President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi in their separate messages have condemned terror attack on police van in Swat. President Asif Zardari in his message paid tribute to the sacrifices of security forces in war against terror. He said the government will eradicate menace of terrorism form the country. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed all out medical facilities for the injured and expressed condolence with the martyred family.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a police mobile near Mallam Jabba, district Swat. The prime minister prayed for the elevation of ranks of the martyred policeman in Jannah and offered his heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family members. He also prayed for the swift recovery of those injured in the incident. The prime minister directed the relevant authorities to provide all possible medical assistance to the injured.
President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday strongly condemned the bomb blast near a police van in Swat. In a statement issued by the President House, he paid tribute to the police officer who was martyred in the incident. He also expressed condolence to the bereaved family and prayed for the swift recovery of those injured in the explosion.
Terrorist elements are enemies not only of the country and nation but of humanity itself, the president said. He reaffirmed his commitment to continue efforts for the complete eradication of terrorism. Interior Minister also saluted the sacrifices of police. He said that the government was taking all out measures to root out terrorism in all its manifestations.
Reporter: Subhan Ullah Khan