Tehreek-e-Taliban's statement after the attack on the convoy of diplomats from 11 countries in Pakistan
Pakistan's security agencies are facing criticism after the attack on the convoy of foreign diplomats in Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday. Pakistan Taliban has a stronghold in this area and after the attack, it was believed that the convoy of diplomats was attacked by Pakistan Taliban. On Monday, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan reacted and said that they had no hand in this attack.
On Sunday, a bomb exploded on the way of a convoy of diplomats from 11 countries including Russia going from Swat district to Malam Jabba. A police jeep came under the impact of this explosion, in which one of the security personnel died and 4 were injured. Giving information about the incident, Swat district police officer Zahidullah Khan said that the squad escorting the convoy came under the impact of a roadside bomb.
Provincial police official Mohammad Ali Gandapur said all the ambassadors were safe in the attack and were taken to a safe place before leaving for Islamabad.
Nobody took responsibility
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan spokesman Mohammad Khurasani has denied attacking the police vehicle accompanying the convoy. Security agencies have said that they are investigating the attack. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and other officials have strongly condemned the incident.
Where were the diplomats of 11 countries going?
The diplomats were visiting the Swat Valley region at the invitation of the local Chamber of Commerce to showcase it as a potential tourist destination. Swat Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Muhammad Ali Khan told Dawn that the convoy included delegations from Indonesia, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rwanda, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Iran, Russia and Tajikistan. "Constable Burhan was martyred in the blast while three other policemen, including Sub-Inspector Sir Zamin, Constable Amanullah, and Constable Habib Gul, were injured," Khan said.