Suicide attack outside police station in Swat leaves 15 martyred, including six police personnel

At least 15 people, including six police personnel, were martyred and several others were wounded in a suicide attack outside Kabal police station in Swat district on Sunday, District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Omer told The Express Tribune.

“Fifteen people were martyred, including six police personnel, while nine civilians were wounded and 25 critically injured people are receiving treatment at Saidu Sharif Teaching Hospital,” Omer said.

According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Malakand Syed Fida Hussain, the explosion took place near the gate of Kabal police station.

“A suicide bomber attempted to enter Kabal police station but was stopped by a police officer before gaining access. The attacker then detonated explosives at the police station’s main gate,” he said.

Hussain said police lines facility and other sensitive government buildings were located near the police station.

“Preliminary reports indicated that four police officers were seriously injured in the blast, while two civilians were also wounded, Hussain said.

Read More: Army officer martyred, 5 terrorists eliminated in K-P’s Razmak IBO

DIG said a protest by local youths was also underway, but the protest site was some distance from the location of the explosion.

Spokesperson for K-P’s Rescue 1122 Bilal Ahmad Faizi said, “The death toll from the blast in the Kabal area of Swat has risen to 14; bodies of nine victims had been shifted to Saidu Sharif Central Hospital, while doctors at Kabal Hospital had confirmed five additional deaths.”

Faizi said a total of 13 ambulances and more than 45 rescue personnel were taking part in the operation.

“Rescue 1122 has provided emergency medical treatment to more than 15 injured people and shifted them to various hospitals, while rescue efforts were continuing,” he added.

He said rescue operations were still underway and that further details would be shared as they became available.

Emergency declared in Swat

The Deputy Commissioner of Swat declared an emergency across the district with immediate effect, citing the need to ensure an effective and coordinated emergency response.

A notification issued by the district administration directed all assistant commissioners, heads of line departments, Rescue 1122, the health department, police, civil defence, local government and other relevant agencies to remain on high alert.

It also ordered all public and private hospitals in the district to remain on high alert and ensure the availability of emergency medical services round the clock.

“All medical superintendents, medical officers, consultants, paramedical staff, nurses, pharmacists, ambulance services and supporting staff shall remain present at their respective duty stations and shall ensure uninterrupted emergency response services,” the notification said.

The notification also cancelled all previously approved leave for officials of the health department and other emergency response agencies with immediate effect.

“All officers and officials currently on leave shall report back to their respective duty stations immediately,” it said.

It directed the District Health Officer, medical superintendents, Rescue 1122, civil defence, police and other relevant departments to ensure full operational readiness, including adequate stocks of medicines, blood supplies, emergency equipment, ambulances and other essential resources.

The notification further instructed assistant commissioners, department heads and field formations to remain vigilant and maintain close coordination with the district administration and law enforcement agencies. Any untoward incident, it said, should be reported to the District Emergency Control Room without delay.

“All law enforcement agencies shall remain on maximum alert, enhance security, intensify patrolling, maintain vigilance at all sensitive locations and ensure close coordination for an effective response to any emergency situation,” it added.

The notification also directed the district administration and police to coordinate closely to maintain law and order across the district.

It said the emergency order would take immediate effect and remain in force until further notice.

Condemnations

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow and grief over the suicide blast and expressed his heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families of those who died in the blast.

PM Shehbaz prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the martyred and for the bereaved families to have patience while also wishing a speedy recovery to those injured in the blast.

He directed the authorities to ensure the provision of the best medical facilities to the injured, adding that our struggle would continue until the complete eradication of the scourge of terrorism.

Governor K-P Faisal Karim Kundi strongly condemned the suicide blast and expressed deep sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of the police personnel

He said that the peace-loving elements targeting the police do not deserve any concessions, adding that the entire nation was proud of the sacrifices of the police personnel and the soldiers of the Pakistan army, who were sacrificing their lives to ensure the establishment of peace in the country.

Kundi added that terrorists cannot demoralise the nation with their cowardly attacks, nor would the peace-loving elements ever succeed in their nefarious intentions.

Chief Minister K-P Sohail Afridi sought a report on the incident from the inspector general of Police K-P.

He expressed his heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of the police personnel and civilians martyred in the blast and prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs, their forgiveness and patience for the survivors.

The CM prayed for the complete and speedy recovery of the police personnel and citizens injured in the blast.

He further noted that K-P Police was making great sacrifices to protect the lives and property of the people, adding that elements hostile to peace would never be allowed to succeed in their nefarious intentions.

The Provincial Health Minister Khaliq-ur-Rehman also strongly condemned the attack and expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Terrorism has significantly increased in Pakistan, particularly in K-P and Balochistan, in recent days. The rise in terrorist activity has led to growing concerns over the security situation in these regions. In response, security forces have been conducting intensive operations to counter the threat, targeting terrorist groups.

A day earlier, a Pakistan Army officer was martyred and five “Indian-sponsored” terrorists were killed in an IBO in K-P’s Razmak area, while 24 were killed on July 29 in the province’s Khyber district.

A day earlier, five “Indian-sponsored” terrorists were killed in an IBO in K-P’s Razmak area, while 24 were killed on July 29 in the province’s Khyber district.

UNSC confirms rise in TTP attacks from Afghanistan

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), in a report released in February, also drew attention to a series of attacks by the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) against Pakistani security forces and projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“On September 16, 2025, the BLA ambushed a Pakistani military convoy patrolling the corridor, killing 32 troops. While counter-terrorism operations by Pakistan restricted the BLA’s operational space, it remained active”.

The report added that some member states reported that the BLA collaborated with the TTP and ISIL-K through shared training camps and resources, coordinating attacks and meetings between commanders. Some member states assessed that there was neither an association nor growing ties between the BLA and Al Qaeda or ISIL.

Also read: Three more terrorists killed in ongoing Operation Shaban: security sources

It further highlighted that various groups in Afghanistan had acquired modern weapons and equipment through cross-border smuggling and black-market trade.

“TTP used advanced assault rifles, night-vision devices, thermal-imaging devices, sniper systems and drone attack systems. Most of these were provided by the de facto authorities in conjunction with weapons permits and travel documents,” it said.

In August 2025, the UN’s 1988 Taliban sanctions committee monitoring team’s annual report said outlawed terrorist groups – BLA, including its Majeed Brigade, and TTP had “close coordination”.

The UNSC report said “some BLA attacks showed a high degree of complexity and brutality”, citing the hijacking of the Jaffar Express in Balochistan on March 11, 2025, which killed 31 people, including 21 hostages.