SWAT: According to police officials, yesterday’s mysterious explosion at a counter-terrorism department (CTD) office in the Kabal neighborhood of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s(K-P)Swat Valley was not the result of terrorism but rather was brought on by explosives inside the structure.
At least 17 people were killed and 53 others, mostly policemen, were injured in a massive explosion that occurred outside the CTD office on Monday. Speaking to members of the media, K-P Inspector General (IG) Akhtar Hayat Gandapur said that five prisoners who had been detained on terrorism-related charges had perished in the explosion. Nine police officers and three civilians were also killed, he continued. IG Gandapur clarified that the explosion was “not terrorism,” but rather the result of explosives going off inside the police station.
He maintained that police officials were investigating the “negligence” and other aspects of the blast.
District Police Officer (DPO) Swat Shafiullah Gandapur also stated that the incident was not a terrorist attack but was caused by explosives inside the police station.
Meanwhile, sources claimed that the initial report regarding the blast had not been filed.
The debris removal continued today, with shops in nearby markets also severely damaged due to the incident.
A mass funeral for the martyred police officers was held at the Kabal police line.
After the incident, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to Twitter to “strongly condemn the suicide attack” on the CTD police station in Swat.
“Nation is deeply grieved over the martyrdom of police officials. Our police have been the first line of defence against terrorism. We will not rest until we eliminate this scourge. My condolences to bereaved families,” he wrote.
K-P Caretaker Chief Minister Muhammad Azam Khan also “condemned” the incident while expressing sorrow over the loss of precious human lives.
Soon after the incident, CM Khan ordered authorities to expedite rescue work and provide medical treatment to the injured. He also prayed for the martyrs and the speedy recovery of the injured.
