Tourist Killed by Mob for Alleged Quran Desecration in Pakistan’s Swat
Peshawar, Jun 21 (PTI): In a tragic incident, a tourist was killed by an enraged mob in the picturesque town of Swat, Pakistan, for allegedly desecrating the Quran. Muhammad Ismail, a resident of Sialkot in Punjab province, was visiting the hill resort town of Swat when he was accused of burning pages of Islam’s holy book in Madyan tehsil of Swat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The incident occurred on Thursday night and quickly escalated. District Police Officer (DPO) Swat, Zahidullah, reported that Ismail was initially taken into police custody and locked up in the station after the alleged desecration was reported. However, the situation took a drastic turn when the incident was announced over mosque loudspeakers, prompting a large crowd to gather outside the police station.
Despite police efforts to secure Ismail, the mob demanded that he be handed over to them. When the police refused, a fierce exchange of gunfire ensued, injuring eight individuals. The violence intensified as the mob set the police station ablaze, forcing the officers to flee for their lives.
The mob then stormed the police station, shot Ismail, and dragged his body through the town to Madyan Ada, where they publicly hanged him. They also set police vehicles on fire, creating chaos in the area. More police forces were summoned to regain control and restore order in the popular tourist destination.
This incident has severely disrupted law and order in the hill town. The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Ali Amin Gandapur, has demanded a report from the provincial police chief. He has instructed the Inspector General of Police to take immediate measures to control the situation and has called for public calm.
The mob’s violent actions have shocked the community and raised serious concerns about the enforcement of law and order in the region. The local administration is working to bring the situation under control and prevent further violence.
The incident highlights the volatile nature of blasphemy accusations in Pakistan, which often lead to mob violence and vigilante justice. Authorities are now faced with the challenge of restoring peace and addressing the underlying issues that led to this tragic event.
