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Thursday November 28, 2024

Alleged desecration of Quran: Man lynched, police station torched in Swat

A mob snatched a man from police and lynched him on allegation of desecration of the Holy Quran in Madyan area of Swat

By Essa Khankhel
June 21, 2024
Protesters set fire to the Madyan Police Station and the vehicles parked there on June 20, 2024. — Screengrab
Protesters set fire to the Madyan Police Station and the vehicles parked there on June 20, 2024. — Screengrab

MINGORA: A mob snatched a man from police and lynched him on allegation of desecration of the Holy Quran on Thursday in Madyan area of Swat.

The protesters also set fire to the Madyan Police Station and the vehicles parked there. An exchange of gunfire also took place between the police and the protesters. The protesters snatched the accused from police, dragged him in the street and lynched him.

Swat District Police Officer Zahidullah said police took a resident of Sialkot, who was accused of desecratiion, into custody and shifted him to the police station to prevent escalation of the situation. However, the local people attacked the police station, causing extensive damage to the property and police vehicles, the DPO added.

The situation in Madyan remained tense. Markets were closed while Kalam Road remained blocked by protesters till the filing of this report.