A mob in the Madyan area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Swat district reportedly killed a man on Thursday night, accusing him of desecrating the Holy Quran, according to local police. Swat District Police Officer Dr. Zahidullah Khan stated that eight others were injured during the unrest.
Initially taken into custody by the police, the suspect linked to the alleged desecration was seized by an enraged mob that attacked the police station. In the ensuing chaos, the mob set fire to the police station and a police vehicle, while the suspect himself was subjected to violence.
Videos circulating on social media depict the disturbing scene of a mob surrounding and setting fire to a person's body on a street, alongside large gatherings outside the police station. Dawn.com's efforts to verify the footage are ongoing.
Dr. Khan confirmed that a significant police presence has been deployed in Madyan to restore order amidst the tense situation.
Madyan, renowned as a tourist destination within the Swat Valley, lies approximately 245 kilometers from the provincial capital, Peshawar.
In response to the incident, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur expressed concern and contacted the provincial police chief for a detailed report. He urged immediate measures to stabilize the situation and appealed to the public for calm.
Former information minister Fawad Chaudhry condemned the incident, lamenting the persistent violence in society.
This incident adds to a concerning trend of mob violence in Pakistan fueled by extremist religious sentiments, particularly in cases involving allegations of blasphemy. Such incidents have increased significantly since changes were made to the blasphemy law in the 1980s, with a notable rise in accusations and violent reactions.
The tragic event in Madyan echoes similar incidents in recent years, including a case where a Christian man in Sargodha died from injuries sustained after being rescued by police from a mob accusing him of blasphemy, and another where a man was stoned to death over similar allegations in Khanewal district in 2022.
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