A convoy carrying around a dozen foreign diplomats narrowly escaped tragedy on Sunday when a security van escorting them was struck by a remote-controlled bomb in Swat's Sher Abad area. The attack partially destroyed the police van, martying one officer and injuring three others.
Diplomats from 12 countries, including Indonesia, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, Iran, Russia, Ethiopia and Tajikistan, were part of the convoy and were heading to the scenic Malam Jabba valley after attending a trade and investment conference organised by the Swat Chamber of Commerce in Mingora.
All the diplomats remained safe in the attack and returned to Islamabad immediately after the incident.
Following the incident, Swat District Police Officer Dr Zahid Ullah confirmed to [The Friday Times-Naya Daur] that a police officer had been martyred, while three others were injured in the attack.
Dr Zahid Ullah added that the diplomats were visiting the scenic district upon the invitation of the local chamber of commerce to explore business opportunities in the region.
After their convoy was targetted, Dr Zahid Ullah said police and security forces had cordoned off the region and had launched a search operation in the area.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin Gandapur strongly condemned the targeting of a security van escorting foreign diplomats in Swat and has sought a report from senior police officials.
Gandapur also expressed condolences over the martyrdom of a police officer in the blast, assuring full financial support to the family of the bereaved.
Chief Minister Gandapur said, "The government stands with the martyr's family in their grief," he said. "Police have made unprecedented sacrifices to protect lives and property, and we salute the officers who have laid down their lives for the nation's safety.
Federal Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Engineer Amir Muqam also strongly condemned the attack on the police van in Sher Abad on the Malam Jabba Road.
Muqam expressed sorrow over the loss of precious lives of police personnel, saying their sacrifices for peace restoration will never be forgotten. He urged the provincial government to focus on maintaining law and order instead of wasting time and resources.
President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari condemned the bomb blast near a police van in Swat, paying tribute to the martyred officer and expressing condolences to the bereaved family.
President Asif Ali Zardari said that terrorist elements are enemies of the nation, country, and humanity. Zardari reaffirmed the government's resolve to eliminate terrorism and prayed for the swift recovery of those injured.