&nbsp;A video widely shared on social media has captured the moment a suicide bomber struck an anti-militancy rally in Pakistan’s northwestern Swat Valley, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than two dozen others on Sunday (Aug 2). The attack took place in Kabal, in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where hundreds of residents had gathered to demand peace and call for stronger action against militant groups operating in the region.&nbsp;The footage showed a large crowd assembled near a police station, chanting anti-militancy slogans as the demonstration continued. Seconds later, a powerful explosion ripped through the gathering, triggering panic as people fled the scene in search of safety.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mountaineer-nirmal-purja-s-body-recovered-from-broad-peak-three-days-after-avalanche-1785673075900">Mountaineer Nirmal Purja’s body recovered from Broad Peak days after avalanche</a>&nbsp;WION can not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">OVER DOZEN KILLED as SUICIDE BOMBER BLOWS HIMSELF UP at CROWDED Pakistan ‘PEACE RALLY’ <a href="https://t.co/2uOeacT3we">pic.twitter.com/2uOeacT3we</a>&mdash; RT (@RT_com) <a href="https://x.com/RT_com/status/2083957155502104604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/madrasas-shouldn-t-exist-they-produce-jihadists-taslima-nasreen-wants-bangladesh-to-be-secular-nation-1785687296945">‘Madrasas shouldn’t exist’: Taslima Nasreen wants Bangladesh to be secular</a>&nbsp;According to district police chief Omar Khan, the rally had been organised by local residents who were protesting against the resurgence of militancy in the Swat Valley and urging authorities to improve security.&nbsp;Witnesses said that speakers addressing the crowd had just reiterated that ensuring public safety and eliminating militancy were the state's responsibility when the explosion occurred. They also criticised authorities for failing to take decisive action against armed groups, saying people in the valley wanted to live without fear after years of violence that had scarred the region.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-records-deadliest-month-of-2026-as-terror-violence-kills-606-in-july-1785656351841">Pakistan records deadliest month of 2026 as terror violence kills 606 in July</a>&nbsp;The blast left at least 19 people dead, while more than two dozen others sustained injuries. Emergency responders rushed the wounded to nearby hospitals as security forces sealed off the area and launched an investigation into the attack.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-drops-olympian-s-reflecting-pool-case-blames-damage-on-botched-installation-1785595545682">US drops Reflecting Pool vandalism case, blames damage on botched installation</a>

A suicide bombing struck an anti-militancy rally in Swat Valley, Pakistan, killing 19 people and injuring over two dozen as residents gathered near a police station to demand peace.

A video widely shared on social media has captured the moment a suicide bomber struck an anti-militancy rally in Pakistan’s northwestern Swat Valley, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than two dozen others on Sunday (Aug 2). The attack took place in Kabal, in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where hundreds of residents had gathered to demand peace and call for stronger action against militant groups operating in the region. The footage showed a large crowd assembled near a police station, chanting anti-militancy slogans as the demonstration continued. Seconds later, a powerful explosion ripped through the gathering, triggering panic as people fled the scene in search of safety. Also read: Mountaineer Nirmal Purja’s body recovered from Broad Peak days after avalanche WION can not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

A suicide bombing struck an anti-militancy rally in Swat Valley, Pakistan, killing 19 people and injuring over two dozen as residents gathered near a police station to demand peace.

Video shows moment suicide bomber struck anti-militancy rally in Pakistan, killing 19 people

Officials in Pakistan said on Sunday (May 26) that authorities have arrested 11 Islamist militants who were involved in the suicide bombing that killed Chinese engineers in March.&nbsp;

The attack in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province forced Power China and the China Gezhouba Company to halt work on two dam projects after a bomb killed five workers and a Pakistani driver, plunging their van down a deep ravine.&nbsp;

Hundreds of Chinese workers are employed at the Dasu and Diamer Bhasha dam construction sites, which are around 100 kilometres away in the hilly terrain.&nbsp;

Pakistan's counter-terrorism chief Rai Tahir along with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi made the announcement at a news conference.&nbsp;

As per the authorities, the arrested men belong to the local Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which is an umbrella group of dozens of Sunni Islamists and sectarian militant groups.&nbsp;

According to Tahir, the arrest of the suspects was made possible by the suicide bomber's use of a mobile to communicate with his local handlers.&nbsp;

He said that the investigation and evidence revealed that the militants were following orders from TTP officials in Afghanistan.

<h2>Pakistan blames Afghanistan</h2>

The Pakistani military had earlier claimed the attack was plotted in Afghanistan and that the suicide bomber was also an Afghan national. Kabul denies the claims.&nbsp;

"We have forensic evidence to prove that the TTP militants who were operating from Afghanistan are involved in it," claimed Minister Naqvi.&nbsp;

Beijing is Islamabad's closest partner as China routinely provides financial aid to its neighbour and invests millions in infrastructure projects.&nbsp;

However, Pakistanis have complained that they do not receive a fair share of the jobs or cash created by the enterprises.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Officials in Pakistan said on Sunday (May 26) that authorities have arrested 11 Islamist militants who were involved in the suicide bombing that killed Chinese engineers in March.

Officials in Pakistan said on Sunday (May 26) that authorities have arrested 11 Islamist militants who were involved in the suicide bombing that killed Chinese engineers in March. The attack in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province forced Power China and the China Gezhouba Company to halt work on two dam projects after a bomb killed five workers and a Pakistani driver, plunging their van down a deep ravine. Hundreds of Chinese workers are employed at the Dasu and Diamer Bhasha dam construction sites, which are around 100 kilometres away in the hilly terrain. Pakistan's counter-terrorism chief Rai Tahir along with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi made the announcement at a news conference. As per the authorities, the arrested men belong to the local Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which is an umbrella group of dozens of Sunni Islamists and sectarian militant groups. According to Tahir, the arrest of the suspects was made possible by the suicide bomber's use of a mobile to communicate with his local handlers. He said that the investigation and evidence revealed that the militants were following orders from TTP officials in Afghanistan. Pakistan blames Afghanistan The Pakistani military had earlier claimed the attack was plotted in Afghanistan and that the suicide bomber was also an Afghan national. Kabul denies the claims. "We have forensic evidence to prove that the TTP militants who were operating from Afghanistan are involved in it," claimed Minister Naqvi. Beijing is Islamabad's closest partner as China routinely provides financial aid to its neighbour and invests millions in infrastructure projects. However, Pakistanis have complained that they do not receive a fair share of the jobs or cash created by the enterprises. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan arrests 11 militants linked to suicide bombing that killed five Chinese engineers

A Pakistani official said on Friday (Mar 29) that China has halted construction on two major dam projects in Pakistan after five Chinese engineers were killed in a suicide bombing in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province earlier this week.

A Pakistani official said on Friday (Mar 29) that China has halted construction on two major dam projects in Pakistan after five Chinese engineers were killed in a suicide bombing in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province earlier this week. Speaking to the news agency AFP, a senior official from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Interior Department said, "They have demanded new security plans from the government." The attack On Tuesday (March 26), the Pakistani police said that a suicide bomber rammed a vehicle into a convoy of five Chinese engineers working on a dam project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Citing authorities, a report by the news agency Reuters said that the engineers were en route from Islamabad to their camp at the dam construction site in Dasu. Also read | Pakistan terror attack: Dashcam captures suicide bombing that killed Chinese nationals The bombing killed the engineers as well as their driver, who was a Pakistani national. This was the third major attack on Chinese interests in Pakistan in a week. The first two attacks targeted a Pakistan naval air base and a strategic port used by China in the southwest province of Balochistan where Beijing is investing billions in infrastructure projects. China urged Pakistan to thoroughly investigate the suicide bombing. Pakistan PM calls for joint probe On Wednesday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for a joint investigation by military and civilian officials into Tuesday's attack. Sharif had chaired a meeting of military and civilian officials that reviewed security arrangements for the protection of Chinese nationals and their interests, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar told Reuters but did not give any further details. Also watch | Investors eye Pakistan market amid IMF deal, Privatisation push × No group claimed responsibility for Tuesday's suicide bombing. Dasu, the site of a major dam, has been attacked in the past, with a bus blast in 2021 killing 13 people, nine Chinese among them, although no group claimed responsibility. (With inputs from agencies)

China halts work on two projects in Pakistan following suicide attack that killed 5 Chinese

As the US <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/some-countries-proposed-to-put-pakistan-in-fatf-grey-list-india-33126">steps up pressure on Abbasi&#39;s government </a>over terror, Defence secretary Jim Mattis said on Thursday that there have been &quot;changes in Pakistan&#39;s behaviour&quot;.

&quot;There have <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-government-acted-against-juds-charities-due-to-us-plot-hafiz-saeed-33940">been changes in Pakistan&#39;s behaviour</a> (since the South Asia strategy was announced),&quot; Mattis told reporters, adding,&quot;There are other issues; the fatwa (against suicide bombings) that came out, that came out of Pakistan. That was a step in the right direction.&quot;

Pakistan has been under pressure from the US and its allies over being named in the &quot;grey list&quot; in Financial Action Task Force(FATF), a move which could take place in June.

The US approached the FATF to put Pakistan on global terrorist-financing watch list, accusing Islamabad of not complying with the UN Security Council resolutions relating to terror groups.

&quot;One of the reasons I want to go in is actually talk to the people who are dealing with the border issues right now, dealing with intelligence and what they&#39;re seeing,&quot; Mattis said.

&quot;And then go back and talk with our intelligence agencies in Washington, DC, and put together an assessment of this,&quot; the US defence secretary added.

On the proposed Afghan peace initiative with the Taliban, Mattis said: &quot;At that point, setting the conditions for the diplomats to sit down, and the leadership to sit down and try to get this out of the violence and into the diplomatic stance.&quot;

However, Mattis added despite US efforts to get Taliban on the negotiating table, the US would continue to put military pressure on the terror outfit.

&quot;..You need to have that door open, even as you increase the military pressure and say this is not going to work. You know, to just be setting off bombs,&quot; Mattis observed.

The US approached the FATF to put Pakistan on global terrorist-financing watch list, accusing Islamabad of not complying with the UN Security Council resolutions relating to terror groups

As the US steps up pressure on Abbasi's government over terror, Defence secretary Jim Mattis said on Thursday that there have been "changes in Pakistan's behaviour". "There have been changes in Pakistan's behaviour (since the South Asia strategy was announced)," Mattis told reporters, adding,"There are other issues; the fatwa (against suicide bombings) that came out, that came out of Pakistan. That was a step in the right direction." Pakistan has been under pressure from the US and its allies over being named in the "grey list" in Financial Action Task Force(FATF), a move which could take place in June. The US approached the FATF to put Pakistan on global terrorist-financing watch list, accusing Islamabad of not complying with the UN Security Council resolutions relating to terror groups. "One of the reasons I want to go in is actually talk to the people who are dealing with the border issues right now, dealing with intelligence and what they're seeing," Mattis said. "And then go back and talk with our intelligence agencies in Washington, DC, and put together an assessment of this," the US defence secretary added. On the proposed Afghan peace initiative with the Taliban, Mattis said: "At that point, setting the conditions for the diplomats to sit down, and the leadership to sit down and try to get this out of the violence and into the diplomatic stance." However, Mattis added despite US efforts to get Taliban on the negotiating table, the US would continue to put military pressure on the terror outfit. "..You need to have that door open, even as you increase the military pressure and say this is not going to work. You know, to just be setting off bombs," Mattis observed.

'Pakistan's behaviour is changing,' says US defense  secretary Jim Mattis