SWAT: At least nine people, including five police personnel, were martyred and more than 18 others injured in a suicide bombing at the main entrance to Kabal Police Station on Sunday evening, senior police officials said.
Regional Police Officer Malakand Syed Fida Hassan Shah said the attacker attempted to enter the police compound but was intercepted by officers deployed at the main gate. The bomber detonated his explosives after being stopped, causing multiple casualties among police personnel and civilians.
The attack occurred while a peace demonstration organised by Ulasi Pasoon was taking place near Kabal Chowk, close to the police station.
Bomber Stopped at Main Gate
According to the RPO, the police compound houses Kabal Police Station, Police Lines, a public facilitation centre and several other government offices.
He said the casualties and damage could have been considerably higher had the attacker succeeded in entering the compound.
Police confirmed that five of those martyred were police officials, while four were civilians.
District Police Officer Swat Muhammad Omar Khan said more than 18 people were injured in the explosion. The wounded were shifted to nearby hospitals, where several were reported to be in critical condition.
Security Tightened After Attack
Police, Rescue 1122, the Bomb Disposal Unit and other law-enforcement agencies reached the site soon after the explosion and cordoned off the area.
Emergency teams carried out rescue operations while investigators collected evidence from the blast site.
Security was tightened across Kabal and surrounding areas as police launched efforts to identify those responsible for planning the attack and trace any facilitators linked to the bomber.
Further investigation and legal proceedings were underway.
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