Pakistan: Convoy carrying foreign diplomats attacked, leaving one police officer dead

A policeman was killed and three others were injured in an explosion on Sunday while escorting a convoy of foreign dignitaries on Malam Jabba Road in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to the police, as reported by Dawn.

The convoy included delegations from Indonesia, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, Iran, Russia, and Tajikistan, as per the report.

"As a result of the blast, Constable Burhan has embraced martyrdom, while three other policemen, including Sub-Inspector Sar Zameen, Constable Amanullah, and Constable Habib Gul, have sustained injuries," an official told Dawn.

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He mentioned that a large number of police officers had arrived at the scene to carry out rescue efforts. The area was secured, and police began a search operation to find those responsible for the explosion.

The DIG confirmed that the blast was caused by a remote-controlled improvised explosive device (IED). "All the ambassadors remained safe in the attack and had been shifted to a safe place before their departure to Islamabad," the DIG was quoted saying by Reuters.

The diplomats had been visiting the region at the invitation of a local business group. So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Russian Embassy in Islamabad said in a post on X that the lead vehicle in the convoy had "hit a mine" in Mingora.

"On September 22, Ambassador Albert P Khorev, along with several other Ambassadors, took part in the Swat Tourism Summit organised by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry," the embassy said.

"On the way to the hotel from the town of Mingora in Khyber Pakhtunkwa, an escort vehicle hit a mine. Several policemen were injured, diplomats were not harmed," the statement added.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed the diplomats’ safe return to Islamabad and strongly condemned the IED attack in a statement. It said that the convoy was on its way back to Islamabad from Malam Jabba when “a police scout vehicle hit an IED, resulting in a police casualty.”

“Our sympathies are with the families of the Shaheed (martyred) 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," the Foreign Office said.

Pak President and PMcondemn attack

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari both issued statements condemning the attack, as reported by Radio Pakistan. The Prime Minister prayed for the martyred police officer and offered his condolences to the grieving family.

“I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured personnel and [have] directed that they be provided with all possible medical assistance. The entire nation salutes the sacrifices of the police force in the fight against terrorism. Such cowardly acts cannot shake our resolve to completely eradicate terrorism,” PM Shehbaz added.

President Zardari also honoured the martyred officer and expressed his condolences. "Terrorist elements are enemies not only of the country and the nation but also of humanity," Zardari said.

(With inputs from agencies)