Key Takeaways:
– Policeman killed and four others injured in roadside blast in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
– Blast targeted a convoy of foreign diplomats traveling to a tourist spot, none of whom were injured.
– Diplomats were from several countries including Indonesia, Portugal, Iran, and Russia.
– The Pakistani Taliban is known to have a base in the region, but no party has claimed responsibility for the attack.
District Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Witnesses a Deadly Roadside Blast
In Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a deadly roadside blast on Sunday targeted a diplomatic convoy, resulting in the death of a policeman. The Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack also injured four others, according to an official report. The diplomats were on their way to the tourist hotspot and hill station of Malam Jabba, a ski resort located about 250 kilometers north of the provincial capital, Peshawar.
The Foreign Diplomats and their Fate
The convoy consisted of diplomats from a myriad of countries, namely Indonesia, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, Iran, Russia, and Tajikistan. According to police officer Javed Khan, all diplomats survived the blast unharmed and a robust security detail remained on the scene. They had been invited to the area by the local chamber of commerce and industry.
The foreign ministry released a statement detailing that an advance scout police vehicle fell victim to the IED blast. It added that the diplomats have since safely returned to the capital, Islamabad. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
“Our sympathies are with the families of the policeman. We honor our law enforcement authorities that remain steadfast in the face of terrorists,” remarked the ministry expressing their condolences and sincere regards.
Additional Security Incident in Balochistan Province
In an unrelated episode in the south-western Balochistan province, gunmen brutally opened fire on a security patrol team in the Zhob district. Two officers succumbed to their injuries on Saturday night, while a third tragically passed away on Sunday, as per Assistant Police Inspector Ghulam Muhammad.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, bordering Afghanistan, has been indicated as a base for multiple militant groups, including the feared Pakistani Taliban. However, the investigation into the bombing is ongoing, and no organization has claimed the responsibility for the ruthless attack so far.
The incident underscored the precarious security conditions in Pakistan, particularly in border areas neighboring Afghanistan where militant groups are known to operate. It came as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by both foreign diplomats and local security forces in the region.
Concluding Remarks
As Pakistan grapples with these renewed security threats, resilient efforts are being undertaken to ensure the safety of foreign diplomats. Post-incident, heightened security measures have been deployed across the cities, with special emphasis on maintaining the security of diplomats and their convoys.
The continual focus for authorities remains on neutralizing any threats and taking stern action against any group found responsible for such activities. The international community stands in solidarity with Pakistan, condemning the acts of violence, and sharing the grief of the nation over the loss of its brave officers.
Source: www.cbsnews.com