A suicide bomber killed at least 14 people and wounded more than 20 others outside a police station in Pakistan’s Swat Valley on Sunday evening after being stopped by police while attempting to enter the facility.
The explosion occurred in Kabal town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near a crowd gathered to protest a resurgence of violence in the region.
According to police, the attacker detonated explosives after officers attempted to search him at the entrance to the station.
The blast struck near hundreds of demonstrators, causing panic as rescue teams rushed victims to nearby hospitals.
Authorities said several of the injured remained in critical condition, raising concerns that the death toll could increase.
The demonstration had been organized by local youths and residents demanding stronger government action against escalating violence in Swat.
The explosion tore through the gathering as speakers were addressing the crowd, sending people fleeing the area.
Police officials said the suspected attacker appeared to have acted alone, and a severed head recovered from the scene was believed to belong to the bomber.
Security forces cordoned off the area, launched a search operation and opened an investigation into the attack.
No group immediately claimed responsibility.
The wounded were transported to hospitals in Saidu Sharif as emergency crews continued rescue operations.
Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the bombing and expressed condolences to the families of those killed.
The country's leadership also directed authorities to ensure the injured receive medical treatment and reiterated that efforts against terrorism would continue.
The bombing came amid an escalation of militant violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
It followed an ambush that killed 11 police officers in Hangu and a car bombing that killed 27 soldiers in Tank in recent days.
Pakistan has blamed Afghanistan-based militants affiliated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan for attacks inside the country, while Kabul has denied the allegations.
The latest bombing underscored growing security concerns in northwestern Pakistan as violence continues to intensify across the region.