Rabat: The death toll from a suicide bombing outside a police station in northwestern Pakistan on Sunday evening climbed to 14, the government rescue service said. The incident occurred in Kabal town in the scenic Swat valley in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province when a group of local youths was protesting near the police station against the latest wave of terrorism in the region.

According to Anadolu Agency, Bilal Ahmad Faizi, a spokesman for the rescue service commonly known as 1122, stated that a rescue operation was underway as local hospitals confirmed 14 fatalities. Another 21 people were injured in the bombing. Mohammad Omer, the city police chief, informed reporters that the suspected suicide bomber, who acted alone, detonated explosives when intercepted by police personnel while attempting to enter the police station.

Omer mentioned that a severed head was discovered at the bombing site, which might belong to the suicide bomber. Authorities fear the death toll could rise as the condition of several injured individuals was reported to be critical. Footage aired by local broadcaster Geo News showed rescue workers transporting bodies and injured individuals to the hospital in ambulances with sirens blaring.

Pakistan's northwestern and southwestern regions have experienced an increase in militant attacks in recent years, for which Islamabad blames "Afghanistan-based" militants affiliated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Kabul denies the accusation.