SWAT: The powerful explosions at the counter terrorism department (CTD) at Tehsil Kabal of district Swat on April 24, which claimed 18 lives, have left several questions for a two-member fact finding committee to answer.
The probe committee comprising Secretary Home Muhammad Abid Majeed and Deputy Inspector General of Police, Special Branch, Saqib Ismail Memon have to seek out answers of the riddles left behind the deadly explosions that claimed 18 lives and injured 51 others.
Syed Akhtar Ali Shah, former IGP and Home Secretary told APP on Wednesday that the probe committee would have to dig out the nature of blasts, negligence on behalf of CTD department if any, safety measures and existing capacity to store huge quantities of explosives, arms and weapons at the compound.
He said the storage of explosives and ammunition at a place with electricity supply was apparently a serious negligence and an investigation was required to ascertain the actual cause behind the explosions.
The KP IGP Akhtar Hayat Gandapur during his visit to explosions-hit Kabal police station, ruled out the possibility of any terrorist act and added that two explosions occurred in 12 minutes intervals in the explosives’ store that caused the collapse of the CTD police station’s old building.
Explaining his stance, the IGP said that no incident of firing or attack at the police station was reported on the fateful day and about five policemen deployed at the gate of the CTD centres were present at the time of explosion with no evidence of ambush on them.
Besides the killing of six civilians and nine policemen of CTD, he said that five under custody prisoners at the compound were also killed and 51 injured.
The brother of Shaheed Sub Inspector Umbar Khan from Lower Dir, Shaheed Umbar Khan Lala told APP that Umbar Khan was planning to perform Umrah after Eidul Fitr but departed for eternal abode by embracing martyrdom at CTD Kabal.
“ASI Sher Alam Khan from Malakand, who was also martyred in the explosion had joined the police force to embrace Shahadat in the way of Allah Almighty and his dream came true at the night of explosions in CTD Kabal police station,” his family members recalled.
Police sources said that an initial investigation into the incident revealed that the explosives material including mortars, IEDs and detonators was being stored in the compound from the last three to four years as recovered by the police from Bajaur, Dir, Swat and Buner in various raids and crackdowns.
It disclosed that the first explosion occurred at 8:14pm followed by another huge bang at 8:25pm that caused the collapse of the CTD compound and damage to nearby buildings. The bomb disposal squad and Rescue 1122 continued the search and clearance operation on the third day and defused arms and explosives at the compound and shifted the discharge wounded cops to their native villages.
The senior government officials rushed to Kabal and inspected relief and rescue operations there soon after the incident. Chief Secretary KP, Nadeem Aslam Chaudhary also visited the blast site in Kabal and reviewed the pace of rescue and clearance operation and directed early completion of the inquiry report. He also visited Saidu Sharif hospital in Swat and inquired after the health of injured cops.
Meanwhile, people of all walks of life started coming to the residences of the victims in Malakand division and offering Fateha. Grief and sorrow prevailed at Kabal and villages of the martyred police cops who were laid to rest with full police honour.
Khyber Pakthunkhwa Governor Ghulam Ali and caretaker chief minister Azam Khan said that the issuance of premature early statements without knowing the facts to the media by some elements was an irrational and illogical attitude. The Governor said that an inquiry had been ordered and we should wait for its findings before making speculations.
