The proscribed terrorist group, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has sought to distance itself from a bomb attack on a convoy consisting of a dozen foreign diplomats in Swat the other day even as the police registered an FIR for the attack.
On Sunday, a convoy consisting of 12 diplomats from Indonesia, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, Iran, Russia, Ethiopia and Tajikistan were heading to Malam Jabba after attending an event in Mingora on the invitation of the Swat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI). The event was jointly organised with the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). On the way, near the Sher Abad area, the convoy came under a bomb attack. The remote-controlled bomb detonated near a police van part of the convoy. As a result, a police officer was killed while three others were injured. The diplomats remained unharmed in the attack and promptly returned to Islamabad.
On Monday, the TTP issued a clarification on social media, stating that they had no connection with the attack on the police personnel providing security to foreign diplomats.
FIR and funeral prayers
Meanwhile, Swat police have registered a first information report (FIR) of the attack.
Swat District Police Officer Dr Zahid Ullah told [The Friday Times] that the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has registered a case against unidentified individuals over the blast on Malam Jabba Road, and had included sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), explosive materials, murder, and attempted murder.
The district police officer added that funeral prayers for the martyred police officer Burhan Khan were performed with official honours.
He added that the other injured personnel are receiving treatment at a local hospital.
Demand for inquiry
The Swat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which had invited the diplomats to the scenic valley, has condemned the blast and demanded the suspension of the Malakand Division commissioner and the Regional Police Officer (RPO) apart from launching an inquiry into their failure to provide adequate security to the visiting diplomats.
The Chamber held an emergency meeting on Monday, which was presided over by President Rahat Ali Khan, while senior office bearers, including Senior Vice President Haji Bakht Karam, Vice President Dr Zakir Muhammad, and former President Yousaf Ali Khan, among others, strongly condemned the blast. They held the Commissioner and RPO responsible for the incident due to their negligence and security lapses.
The meeting also offered prayers for the martyred police officer, Burhan Khan, and announced a donation of Rs100,000 for his family.
The Chamber expressed concerns that the blast was a deliberate attempt to destabilise Swat and create an impression that terrorists still exist in the region.
The business community announced a protest rally on September 27, which will commence at Nishat Chowk in Mingora. They urged the public to participate in large numbers to condemn such incidents and demand improved security measures.