Two policemen were killed and seven people were injured when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into Thakot Police check-post in Battagram district on Monday, completely destroying the check-post. "An explosion occurred in a small truck when it reached the Dandai bridge in Shangla district (of Swat) ... it was a suicide attack," said Gul Wali Khan, the district police chief in Shangla, told AFP.The attack was the first-ever suicide attack in Battagram district, after which security was beefed up in the district. The blast left two policemen, Shabir Shah and Niaz Khan, dead, while seven other people -- including three policemen -- sustained injuries. Two of the injured are said to be in a critical condition. Thakot Bazaar was shut down following the blast.
Locals condemned the blast and said they would not be cowed by such dastardly acts and would continue to oppose the Taliban who shed the blood of the innocent.