Suicide attack in Pakistan kills 14 during peace rally

Pakistan suicide blast at a peace rally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa killed at least 14 people, including police officers, and left over two dozen injured.

pakistan bombingPolice officers stand guard as others check the site following a suicide bombing, in Kabal, a town in the Swat Valley in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. (AP Photo)

A suicide blast in northwest Pakistan killed at least 14 people, including police officers and wounded more than two dozen others on Sunday during a peace rally in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, officials said, AP reported, citing sources.

The attack took place in Swat Valley’s Kabal town, where demonstrators had gathered near a police station, raising anti-militant slogans and demanding peace, police chief Omar Khan said, AP reported. Khan added that at least five police officers were among the dead.

According to a Rescue 1122 Swat spokesperson, doctors at Kabal Hospital confirmed five fatalities while nine bodies were shifted to Central Hospital Saidu Sharif, PTI reported.

The peace rally in Kabal town was reportedly organised by Swat Aman Jirga (local tribal council) with participants raising slogans and carrying placards to demand peace in the area.

pakistan bombing An ambulance rushes towards the hospital carrying injured victims from the site of a suicide bombing, in Kabal, a town in the Swat Valley in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. (AP Photo)

The attacker struck dozens of people who were raising anti-militant slogans, said Bilal Faizi, spokesperson for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial emergency service. The attack was condemned by Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who in a statement extended condolences to the families of those killed and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Reports stated that no group has claimed responsibility till now, but suspicion for the blast is likely to fall on the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Islamabad has accused Kabul of sheltering the TTP militants, but Kabul has always denied the claims.

In recent years, Pakistan has experienced a rise in militant attacks, specifically targeting security forces and police.

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