As death toll from Tuesday’s blast in Swat valley rose to eight, a large number of people on Wednesday took to streets against the recent wave of terrorism.
A large number of civil society members protested against the fresh wave of terrorism in the valley and condemned attack. Protesters held banners and placards bearing messages of peace as they gathered at Nishat Chowk in Mingora. They also chanted slogans demanding peace in Swat and Malakand Division.
The protesters said the people of Swat had suffered from 2007 to 2009 due to terrorism and would not allow militant activity on their land again. “We are peace-loving people and will not allow elements to sabotage our hard-earned peace anymore […] we will not allow anti-state elements to steal our peace,” one of the protesters said.
They also questioned how militants were able to enter Swat given the presence of intelligence and law enforcement officials. “We do not know how militants can enter Swat as it does not share borders with Afghanistan. In situations like this, the presence of terrorists is not only condemnable but also questionable,” a demonstrator said.
Further, the office bearers of the Swat District Bar Association condemned the recent wave of terrorism in an emergency meeting chaired by Advocate Mushtaq Khan. “We strongly condemn the recent incidents of terrorism as well as the weak law and order situation,” the lawyers said, adding that several important personalities had received extortion letters and threatening phone calls telling them to pay a huge amount.
The lawyers said state institutions were responsible for protecting citizens. They demanded law enforcement agencies and the provincial government ensure complete peace and fulfil their constitutional responsibilities.
Saeed Khan, a senior police official in Swat, said the slain head of peace committee, Idrees Khan, was travelling in the area when the roadside bomb hit his vehicle. He said that initial reports suggested the bombing killed five but later they concluded eight people had died, including two policemen.
District Police Office PRO Moin Fayaz and Rescue 1122 Spokesperson Bilal Faizi confirmed that the death toll had risen to eight. The toll was also confirmed by Swat Deputy Commissioner Junaid Khan.
The attack was claimed by the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) which stated that Idrees had been on their hit-list for nearly 13 years. Earlier, Swat District Police Officer (DPO) Zahid Marwat had said that 10 people had died, adding that police had begun investigating the incident. The DPO said no arrests had been made so far, reiterating that investigations were continuing. Meanwhile, the funerals of some of the victims were held. The funerals of the two policemen were held at Police Lines and were attended by politicians, government officials and locals. Idrees’ funeral was held in his native village of Bara Banda where he was laid to rest. A large number of mourners attended the funeral amid tight security arrangements.
A decisive military operation succeeded in eliminating militancy from the region in 2009. But there have been reports of late that militants have resurfaced after 12 years and they are threatening villagers with dire consequences if they denounce them to the authorities.
Provincial minister Shaukat Yousafzai denied that the KP government was negotiating with the Taliban. “The provincial government does not have representation in the talks under way with the Taliban,” he said in a statement, adding that the Centre was negotiating with the Afghan government.
Yousafzai went on to say that Pakistan was suffering the effects of the change of government in Afghanistan. “The Afghan government is forcing some people to return to Pakistan, the effects of which are being witnessed,” he said.