A police officer was killed, and three others were injured in a mine explosion in Pakistan. The explosion targeted a convoy of ambassadors, including Portuguese diplomats. Fortunately, the diplomats were not harmed in the attack.
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Details of the Convoy
The convoy included Portuguese Ambassador Frederico Silva, the Russian ambassador, and diplomats from several countries. The diplomats from the following countries were present in the incident:
- Portugal
- Iran
- Turkmenistan
- Tajikistan
- Kazakhstan
- Bosnia
- Zimbabwe
- Rwanda
- Vietnam
They were heading to Malam Jabba in the Swat Valley. This region is located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa near the Afghan border. The incident also happened in the same vicinity.
Police Response and Confirmation
Swat police chief Zahidullah Khan revealed that none of the diplomatic delegation members were affected because their vehicles were not hit. He explained:
The diplomats were travelling in a police convoy and it was the vehicle in front that was hit.
The source revealed that a police officer died of his injuries and three others were injured in the incident. Later the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the Portuguese ambassador and the colleagues who accompanied him were fine and safe.
The Pakistan army and Police have closed roads and imposed a curfew in the area of the attack while they carried out a search operation.
Context of the Trip
The diplomats were taking part in a trip organized by Islamabad and the Swat Chamber of Commerce to promote local trade, known for its handicrafts and precious stones. Khan reiterated that:
No diplomats were injured in the incident.
He further explained:
As a result of the blast, Constable Burhan has embraced martyrdom, while three other policemen, including Sub-Inspector Sar Zameen, Constable Amanullah, and Constable Habib Gul, have sustained injuries.
Furthermore, the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan assured that the diplomats had returned safely to Islamabad. They released a statement saying that the country is determined to fight terrorism.
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The Russian embassy in Islamabad confirmed on the social network Telegram that their ambassador was part of the convoy when a vehicle escorting the entourage ran over a mine.
Ongoing Security Concerns
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet, but the region is a stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP). It hosts fighters trained in Afghanistan who share the Afghan Taliban’s ideology.
Between 2007 and 2009, this movement killed thousands of civilians and seized control of several areas before the Army eventually drove them back.
Today, the group maintains sleeper cells, and Islamabad accuses the Taliban government in Kabul of failing to eliminate militants who have sought refuge on Afghan soil to prepare attacks against Pakistan.
However, the Taliban government denies these allegations, but relations between Islamabad and Kabul have deteriorated over the issue.
