At least 14 people were killed in a suspected suicide bombing outside a police station in northwestern Pakistan on Sunday, as the country continues to face escalating militant violence.
The blast occurred in the Kabal area of Swat district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
A pro-police rally involving local residents was being held nearby at the time of the explosion, although authorities have not confirmed whether the gathering was the intended target.
Regional police official Fida Hussain said the victims included five police officers, eight civilians, and the suspected suicide bomber, bringing the total death toll to 14.
Police also reported that at least 18 people were injured in the attack.
Authorities have launched an operation to identify and arrest anyone believed to have assisted in carrying out the bombing.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant group claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed his condolences, saying he was deeply saddened by the deadly bombing.
Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in militant attacks in its border regions in recent months, with security forces and police frequently targeted.
The Pakistani government has accused the Afghan Taliban of supporting militant groups operating across the border, an allegation the Taliban administration has repeatedly denied.
