Swat suicide attack toll rises to 17 after police station peace rally blast

Peshawar,UPDATED: Aug 3, 2026 19:58 IST

The death toll in a suicide attack at a police station during a peace rally in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province rose to 17 on Monday after three more injured people died in hospital, police said. The blast took place on Sunday in Kabal town of Swat district, where a peace rally was being held opposite the police station.

Police said the bomber was stopped and searched by personnel at the entrance of the police station before he could get inside. Fourteen people, including five security personnel, were killed in the attack on Sunday. With the latest deaths, the toll has gone up to 17, including seven police personnel and 10 civilians.

Police said 12 injured people were under treatment at Saidu Sharif Teaching Hospital, including eight police personnel and four civilians. No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack. Malakand Deputy Inspector General Syed Fida Hussain said the suicide bomber, believed to be a member of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, had tried to enter the police station but was stopped by a police officer. "The attacker then detonated explosives at the police station's main gate," he said, adding that the police lines and other sensitive government installations were located nearby.

Police have registered a terrorism case with the Counter Terrorism Department over the attack, and a Joint Investigation Team has been formed for a detailed probe. According to the FIR lodged at CTD Police Station Swat, a protest organised by the Pasoon organisation had started at Kabal Chowk at around 4 pm. The FIR said that at about 6:04 pm, a powerful suicide blast hit the main gate of Kabal Police Station, killing and injuring several police personnel and civilians. It added that initial suspicion pointed to the involvement of banned TTP commander Muzaffar and his associates.

Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said the timely action of the police personnel had prevented a much larger tragedy. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi reached Swat on Monday, met the families of the victims and chaired a high-level meeting at the Jirga Hall in Saidu Sharif. He directed the authorities to launch a full-scale operation against terrorists and restore peace and stability.

The Swat Peace Rally had been organised by the Swat Aman Jirga, with participants raising slogans and carrying placards to demand peace in the area. They alleged that police inaction had led to a worsening security situation in recent months. The attack took place as the rally was under way, and the investigation is now focused on how the bomber reached the police station gate before being stopped.

With PTI Inputs

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