The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed at least 14 people, including six police officers, in the Swat Valley in northwestern Pakistan.
The attacker struck on Sunday outside a police station near a protest where hundreds of people had gathered to demand government action over the region’s worsening security situation.
According to Swat district police officer Umar Khan, the suicide bomber detonated explosives after police officers attempted to stop and search him at the entrance to the police station.
Swat’s deputy inspector-general of police, Fida Hussain, said at least 22 people were injured in the blast.
The explosion occurred near a busy intersection where protesters had assembled to call for stronger measures to curb the escalating violence in the region.
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of life and extending condolences to the families of the victims.
Interior minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the bombing, offering his condolences to the bereaved families and wishing those injured a speedy recovery.