Foreign diplomats unhurt in attack on convoy as cop martyred

MINGORA/ISLAMABAD: In a serious security breach exposing Pakistan to embarrassment at the international level, a convoy of 11 diplomats from 11 countries was Sunday targeted by an IED when they were heading towards the tourist resort of Malam Jabba.

A police official was martyred and three others sustained injuries in the incident, police officials said. No one claimed responsibility for the attack.

District Police Officer (DPO) Dr Zahidullah Khan told The News that diplomats of 11 countries, including Russia, Iran, Indonesia, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Bosnia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Turkmenistan, Vietnam and Tajikistan, were on a two-day visit to the district on the invitation of Swat Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

They attended a function, hosted by the Swat-based traders and business community, and later left for the tourist resort Malam Jabba, where they were supposed to stay for a night.

“Strong security measures were taken for the diplomats. However, when the convoy was passing through Sherabad locality, an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded hitting the police van escorting the diplomats,” the police officer said.

As a result, one cop, Burhan Khan, was martyred and three others, including a sub-inspector, were injured.

The police shifted the diplomats to a safer location from where they were taken to Islamabad under police escort.

The injured were rushed to the hospital.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Malakand Range, Mohammad Ali Gandapur, told The News that the foreign ambassadors remained safe in the IED attack. He said the police had made foolproof security measures for protection of diplomats.

There had been isolated incidents of violence in Swat valley for some time. Recently, terrorists attacked a police post in the same area.

It was in Swat valley where terrorists shot and wounded Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai in 2012.

Later, Pakistan Army troops cordoned off the area along with the police and launched a search operation.

According to the police authorities, curfew was imposed in the area but there was no immediate information about any arrests.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) said a group of diplomats traveling to Islamabad after their trip to Malam Jabba and Swat witnessed an incident.

“An advance scout police vehicle was hit by an IED which resulted in a casualty of the police detail. 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,” it stated in a statement.

“We honour our law-enforcement authorities that remain steadfast in the face of terrorists. Such acts will not deter Pakistan from its commitment to fighting against terrorism.”

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack. In a statement issued by the President House, Asif Zardari 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.

He said the terrorists were enemies of the nation and humanity and reaffirmed his commitment to eradicate terrorism. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the blast and paid homage to the fallen police constable. He expressed condolences to the deceased cop’s family. “We salute the brave son of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police,” he said.

Condemning the incident, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has asked police high-ups to probe the incident and bring the culprits to justice.