Motorcade carrying Russian ambassador hit by explosion

A motorcade carrying Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert Khorev and other diplomats has been hit by an explosion, the country’s mission has said in a statement.

The envoy was traveling alongside a delegation including ambassadors of several other nations. The delegation had attended a tourism forum hosted by the Trade and Industry Chamber of Islamabad.

Several police officers were injured in the blast after an escort car hit a landmine, the Russian Embassy said. None of the diplomats were injured, it added.

Pakistani authorities have acknowledged the incident, confirming that all members of the delegation were evacuated safely from the site of the blast. 

“All the ambassadors remained safe in the attack and had been shifted to a safe place before their departure to Islamabad,” Deputy Inspector General of police Mohammad Ali Gandapur told Reuters.

According to police, one officer was killed in the blast and four others were injured. “The squad that was leading the convoy was hit by a roadside bomb,” Swat district police officer Zahidullah Khan said.