Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police have detained 23 individuals linked to the lynching of a man and the burning of Madyan Police Station in Swat. The suspects have been relocated to an undisclosed location as police continue to search for others involved in the incident.
On Thursday night, a violent mob accused a local tourist of desecrating the Holy Quran, beat him to death and set fire to both his body and the police station.
A federal agency’s report issued a day earlier indicated that hotel management had requested the deceased to open his door due to the blasphemy allegations. After denying the accusations, he was taken to the police station, a decision later criticized as a “grave” error by the report.
The report also noted the station house officer did not seek advice from superiors or move the suspect to a secure location. The lack of presence from senior police officials or political leaders during the incident also contributed to the tragedy.
While in custody for approximately 40 minutes, the accused consistently denied the blasphemy allegations against him, the report added.
Swat District Police Officer (DPO) Syed Zaman Shah mentioned that the mob members had been identified and efforts to arrest them were ongoing. Two FIRs have been filed against the mob: one for blasphemy and another for damaging state property.
Additionally, the official stated that the suspect was reportedly a drug addict previously charged with domestic violence based on a complaint from his mother.
