Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [Pakistan], A mob brutally lynched a man in Pakistan's Swat region, accusing him of desecration of the Holy Book inside the Madyan police station, Dawn reported.
The victim, a tourist from Sialkot, was burnt alive by an angry mob on Thursday, according to an alleged video of the incident that circulated on social media.
Some people at a local market announced that a man had committed blasphemy, after which a crowd caught him and handed him over to the police, Dawn reported.
However, soon after, announcements were made from mosques in Madyan, a well-known tourist destination in Swat, sparking more anger and rallying people towards the police station.
Witnesses reported that the mob demanded the police hand over the suspect and when the police refused, the mob forced their way into the police station.
Police officers fled for safety and reinforcements were called in to manage the growing law and order situation, the Pakistan-based newspaper said.
The Swat district police officer (DPO) was quoted as saying: "People set fire to the police station and a police vehicle. The man was burnt alive."
Taha Siddiqui, a Pakistani journalist living in exile, shared the footage on accusations of #blasphemy. The crowd surrounding the body can be seen using cameras with flashlights to film the lynching. Welcome to #Pakistan, the Islamic republic."
https://x.com/TahaSSiddiqui/status/1803948573161058377
Lawyer Sidra Qayyum also posted on police station and took charge of the accused. The situation is tense in the area and according to police sources, two people were reported injured in the market.
The identity of the suspect has not yet been confirmed, but media reports suggest that he was a tourist staying at a local hotel.
This tragic event marks the second case of lynching over blasphemy accusations in recent weeks. Last month, a man was murdered in Sargodha under similar allegations.
The incident highlights the volatile nature of blasphemy accusations in Pakistan, which often lead to mob violence and tragic loss of life.
The situation remains tense in Swat as authorities work to restore order and investigate the incident.
The victim, a tourist from Sialkot, was burnt alive by an angry mob on Thursday, according to an alleged video of the incident that circulated on social media.
Some people at a local market announced that a man had committed blasphemy, after which a crowd caught him and handed him over to the police, Dawn reported.
However, soon after, announcements were made from mosques in Madyan, a well-known tourist destination in Swat, sparking more anger and rallying people towards the police station.
Witnesses reported that the mob demanded the police hand over the suspect and when the police refused, the mob forced their way into the police station.
Police officers fled for safety and reinforcements were called in to manage the growing law and order situation, the Pakistan-based newspaper said.
The Swat district police officer (DPO) was quoted as saying: "People set fire to the police station and a police vehicle. The man was burnt alive."
Taha Siddiqui, a Pakistani journalist living in exile, shared the footage on accusations of #blasphemy. The crowd surrounding the body can be seen using cameras with flashlights to film the lynching. Welcome to #Pakistan, the Islamic republic."
https://x.com/TahaSSiddiqui/status/1803948573161058377
Lawyer Sidra Qayyum also posted on police station and took charge of the accused. The situation is tense in the area and according to police sources, two people were reported injured in the market.
The identity of the suspect has not yet been confirmed, but media reports suggest that he was a tourist staying at a local hotel.
This tragic event marks the second case of lynching over blasphemy accusations in recent weeks. Last month, a man was murdered in Sargodha under similar allegations.
The incident highlights the volatile nature of blasphemy accusations in Pakistan, which often lead to mob violence and tragic loss of life.
The situation remains tense in Swat as authorities work to restore order and investigate the incident.
