FM Ishaq Dar assures foreign diplomats of probe into Malam Jabba terror attack

Foreign Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar has assured the ambassadors of 12 countries an investigation into the Malam Jabba incident of terrorism in which a police vehicle escorting the diplomats of these countries was targeted, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.

Sources told 24News TV channel the assurance was given at a high-level meeting held at the Foreign Ministry.   

Quoting the minister, they said that he assured that all those involved in the incident would be brought to justice.

“Some forces are bent upon destabilizing the country,” he told the visitors.

Sources added that Dar told them that Pakistan was presently busy fighting against the same forces, and was determined to carry out an operation against them till their elimination.  

In a tragic incident in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swat district on Sunday, a police officer was killed and three others were injured due to an explosion on Malam Jabba Road at a time when some foreign diplomats were also passing through the same area.

Police said they had secured the area surrounding the explosion and that a search operation had been launched.

Deputy Inspector General of Swat, Muhammad Ali Khan confirmed that Constable Burhan had lost his life in the attack, while Sub-Inspector Sar Zameen, Constable Amanullah, and Constable Habib Gul were those injured.

On the other hand, the Foreign Office, said, "Today a group of diplomats travelling to Islamabad after their trip to Malam Jabba and Swat witnessed an incident. An advance scout police vehicle was hit by an IED. All members of the diplomatic corps have returned safely to Islamabad. Our sympathies are with the families of the shaheed policeman and three injured in the incident. 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."

Swat District Police Officer Zahidullah Khan told the media that the diplomats were in the area at the invitation of a local chamber of commerce. “Fortunately, all diplomats remained safe and returned to Islamabad,” he explained.

Reporter: Anwar Abbas