ISLAMABAD: A roadside bomb exploded close to a convoy of international diplomats visiting
Pakistan’s scenic Swat district within the northwest on Sunday, leaving one policeman lifeless and three injured.
Police officers mentioned the victims had been a part of the squad main the convoy of 12 nations. They mentioned all of the international dignitaries had been unhurt.
The foreigners included ambassadors from Russia, Portugal, Iran, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Turkmenistan, Vietnam and Bosnia and Herzegovina.The diplomats had been visiting the realm on the invitation of an area chamber of commerce.
Nobody has to this point claimed duty for the assault however officers in Islamabad mentioned militants related to the Pakistani Taliban are primarily answerable for violence within the area . Swat, a former stronghold of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), is thought for its picturesque panorama and historic non secular websites and hosts 1000’s of native and international vacationers every year.
“All of the ambassadors remained secure within the assault and had been shifted to a secure place earlier than their departure to Islamabad,” mentioned Mohammad Ali Gandapur, a senior police officer.
Pakistan’s international workplace mentioned the international diplomats had returned to the Pakistani capital, extending sympathies to the households of the deceased and injured policemen. It mentioned that the convoy was travelling to Islamabad after their journey to Malam Jabba (in Swat) when “an advance scout police automobile was hit by an IED which resulted in a casualty of the police element”.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s workplace condemned the assault as a “cowardly terrorist” act.
Russian Ambassador Albert Khorev’s workplace in Islamabad confirmed his presence within the convoy, saying they took half in a tourism summit in Swat.
“On the best way to the lodge from the city of Mingora in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, an escort automobile hit a mine. A number of policemen had been injured, however diplomats weren’t harmed,” the Russian embassy posted on social media platform X.