Swat: At least 12 policemen were martyred and more than 40 people were injured in an explosion at a Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) police station in Swat’s Kabul on Monday.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Khan said security officials were on “high alert” across the province.
Meanwhile, the provincial health department imposed emergency in the hospitals of Swat.
CTD DIG Khalid Sohail told JEE News that the blast was “not a suicide attack”.
“There was no attack or firing at the police station. The explosion occurred where ammunition and mortar shells were stored.”
He added that the cause of the explosion – negligence or something else – is being investigated. He added that the bomb disposal squad is also investigating.
The DIG of CTD had earlier said that there were two explosions and the building that collapsed was an old one while most of the offices and officials were located in the new building.
He added that the collapse of the building caused a power outage, the extent of which is yet to be determined.
Earlier, District Police Officer Shafiullah Gandapur (DPO) had claimed that a “suicide attack” had taken place.
Consequently, government officials condemned the blast and vowed to defeat terrorism.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the blast. He expressed grief over the loss of lives and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
According to Radio Pakistan, he also directed the authorities to submit a report regarding the incident.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah condemned the blast and expressed grief over the loss of precious lives. He asserted that this menace of terrorism will be eradicated soon.
KP Caretaker Chief Minister Azam Khan also condemned the blast and directed to provide timely medical aid to the injured. He assured that the provincial government will not leave the heirs of the martyrs.
Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Sindh Governor Kamran Tesori also condemned the blast.
