In Pakistan, a suicide bomber killed 14 people during a protest against militants
In the town of Kabal in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, a suicide bomber blew himself up during a protest against rising violence by militants. Fourteen people were killed, including five police officers, and dozens more were injured, according to Deutsche Welle.
The demonstration took place near a local police station. Participants were protesting the increased militant activity in the region and accusing the authorities of failing to take decisive action to protect the population. People said they wanted to live without fear after years of violence.
Hundreds of people were at the rally. Videos circulating on social media show how the explosion interrupted a speaker’s address and caused panic among those present. According to a local police representative, the attacker blew himself up when he was asked to undergo a security check outside the police station.
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No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack. Zardari stated that terrorists will not succeed in undermining peace, national unity, and state authority.
Militant attacks have become more frequent in Pakistan recently, many of which are directed against the police and security forces. The Swat Valley was a Taliban stronghold from 2007 to 2009, until the Pakistani army drove out the Islamists and restored government control over the region. Religious militants, including the Pakistani group “Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan,” have now become active in the area once again.
