— Emergency declared in nearby hospitals
PESHAWAR: At least 12 people, mostly policemen, were killed by multiple explosions caused by a fire in a munitions cache in a counter-terrorism police station in Kabal town of Swat Valley on Monday, officials said.
The incident came amid a string of high-toll militant assaults on police in Pakistan, many linked to the domestic Taliban branch, and initially sparked fears of a fresh attack.
But Swat District Police Officer (DPO) Shafiullah Gandapur said a short-circuit in a basement storing “grenades and other explosives” was the cause of the blasts.
“There is no suggestion that it was caused by an outside attack or by suicide bombers,” Gandapur told AFP.
A second police official informed that initial information showed the attack occurred around 8:20 pm inside the police station premises which also housed the Counter-Terrorism Department and a mosque.
He said that all three buildings “collapsed” due to the blast, adding that a fire also erupted soon after.
According to police, unidentified assailants started firing during which a suicide bombing took place and a second massive explosion occurred within seconds as a result of which houses were damaged up to an area of two km.
The building of the police station has been completely destroyed due to the blasts, the police added.
Police said an emergency has been declared in Saidu Sharif Hospital where the injured were being shifted.
Meanwhile, an emergency was declared at all nearby hospitals. Rescue 1122 officials said the operation is being carried out to rescue the people trapped under the debris of the building.
The rescuers informed that the electricity supply to the area was also disrupted after the blasts.
Caretaker KP Chief Minister Azam Khan condemned the blasts and offered his heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs.
He also directed the authorities concerned to immediately start relief operations and provide timely medical aid to the injured.
He termed the incident “highly condemnable and a brutal act”.
According to initial reports, several cops lost their lives and others sustained injuries in two bomb blasts at the station.
Heavy contingents of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) rushed to the scene and cordoned off the entire area.
Different teams of forensic and other wings of police started collecting circumstantial evidence.
SANA VOWS TO CURB MENACE OF TERRORISM
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan on Monday strongly condemned the blast in Kabal CTD police station Swat.
In a statement, the minister regretted over the loss of precious lives in the explosion. He also expressed his sympathy to the families of martyrs and prayed for them to bear this irreparable loss.
“We will never forget the sacrifices of the martyrs for the security of the country and the nation”, he stated.
The scourge of terrorism will be uprooted soon, he said adding that the Home Minister has been asked for a report on the incident.
He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
LEADERSHIP CONDEMNS BLAST
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Dr Arif Alvi condemned the incident and reiterated that security forces would completely eliminate the curse of terrorism.
Expressing deep grief over the loss of lives, the prime minister expressed his sympathies with the bereaved families and prayed for the high ranks of the Shuhada, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
He also prayed for the early recovery of the injured and directed for the provision of all available medical treatment to the injured.
The prime minister summoned a report from the relevant authorities over the incident. The entire nation saluted the sacrifices of its dead, he added.
— With AFP
Deep state ? ttp? or both??