Blast targets foreign diplomats in Pakistan; one police officer killed, four injured

An explosion targeting a convoy of diplomats from 12 countries in the Swat region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, resulted in the death of a police officer and injuries to four others.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police confirmed that the security forces were the intended target, and none of the diplomats were harmed.

The convoy included diplomats from Bosnia, Russia, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Portugal.

Zahidullah Khan, a police officer in Swat, stated that the diplomats were visiting the Swat Valley on an invitation from the local Chamber of Commerce.

The injured security personnel were escorting the diplomats in the Jehanabad area of Swat when the attack occurred. One of their vehicles was also damaged in the blast.

Mohammad Ali Gandapur, the deputy inspector general of police, confirmed that all diplomats were safely evacuated to a secure location before returning to Islamabad.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Pakistan has recently experienced a significant rise in attacks targeting security forces, law enforcement agencies, and security checkpoints, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

The resurgence of violence escalated after Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) withdrew from a fragile ceasefire agreement with the government in 2022, vowing to resume attacks on security forces.

Increased insecurity in Pakistan has also seen militants targeting military officials, civilians, and Chinese nationals, raising concerns about the deteriorating safety for both locals and foreign nationals in the region.

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