Islamabad: The death toll in the suicide bombing outside Kabal police station in Pakistan’s Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has risen to 15, including six police personnel, while more than 30 people were injured, officials said on Sunday.
District Police Officer Muhammad Ome said nine civilians were among those killed, while several critically injured victims were undergoing treatment at Saidu Sharif Teaching Hospital.
According to Malakand DIG Syed Fida Hussain, the blast occurred near a police station located close to police lines and other sensitive government installations as hundreds of people were participating in a public demonstration at nearby Kabal Chowk.
Security forces cordoned off the area, launched a search operation and began an investigation into the attack.
The bombing comes days after another major terror attack in Hangu district, where nine police personnel, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), were killed and 28 others injured after militants attacked the Khazina Banda checkpost. Pakistani authorities blamed the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for that assault.
The latest attack underscores the growing wave of militant violence targeting security forces in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
