Protests Erupt Over Police Suspension After Bisham Attack

Residents of Upper and Lower Kohistan districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa protested the suspension of senior police officers following the Bisham suicide attack that claimed the lives of five Chinese engineers and their Pakistani driver. The attack occurred in Shangla district's Bisham city, prompting China to demand a thorough investigation and enhanced security measures for its citizens. In response, Islamabad initiated a swift probe and formed a joint investigation team.

Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took action against five senior police officers for negligence related to the attack. However, residents of Upper and Lower Kohistan districts protested, claiming the suspended officials were not directly responsible as the incident took place in Shangla, not their districts. They demanded compensation for the slain Pakistani driver and criticized the unequal treatment compared to the Chinese victims.

An investigating committee highlighted security lapses, including the lack of bulletproof vehicles for the Chinese engineers, contrary to standard operating procedures. The committee also noted deficiencies in the security provided to the Chinese nationals, emphasizing the need for bombproof transportation as per SOPs.

The report revealed failures in communication and coordination among security officials, leading to the tragic incident. The protesters called for a transparent inquiry and accountability for those responsible for the attack. They insisted on fair treatment for the Pakistani victim's family and criticized the suspension of officers from Kohistan districts instead of Malakand division where the attack occurred.