[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]The death toll from Monday’s twin blasts at the Kabal police station in Swat rose to 16 on Tuesday, officials said, as the cause of the explosions remained unknown.
Two explosions rocked the police station the day before, on the premises of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).
According to a report issued today by the Office of Deputy Commissioner Swat, a copy of which is available to Dawn.com, two consecutive explosions occurred inside the CTD police station within Kabal Police Lines at 8:29 p.m. on Monday night.
The explosions that shattered the roof of the police station, the CTD office, and a mosque inside the station were followed by a fire.
According to the KP police, nine of the fatalities were police officers and six were civilians, with the identities of the remaining victims still being processed.
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Sub-inspector (SI) Abdullah Khan, SI Ashraf Ali, assistant sub-inspector (ASI) CTD Sher Alam; constables Taj Muhammad, Asmat Ali, Khalilur Rahman, Bakht Rokhan, Fazal Raziq; Nahid and 2-year-old Azan were among those killed.
According to the report, 63 people were injured in the explosions, with eight of them in critical condition.
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According to Rescue 1122 spokesperson Shafiqa Gul, a rescue operation was underway at the blast site for the second day, with approximately 100 rescue officials and heavy machinery participating.
The deceased were from Swat, Mardan, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Shangla, Buner, Malakand, and Chitral, according to her. “The bodies are being returned to their hometowns to be laid to rest,” Gul added.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Secretary Mahmood Aslam Wazir stated that hospitals throughout Swat have been placed on high alert. To deal with emergencies, the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar has declared an emergency.
He stated that all personnel had been directed to report to their duty stations, and that Swat’s regional blood centre had been activated to provide blood to hospitals immediately.
‘No indications of forced entry’
Speaking to the media today, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General Akhtar Hayat said that based on the preliminary investigation there were no indications of forced entry or gunshots.
He said explosive weapons and ammunition stored in the depot at the police station caught fire, resulting in two huge explosions within an interval of 12 minutes that rocked the Kabal tehsil.
The official, however, added that the details were being gathered.
Hayat pledged to examine all aspects of the incident “with an open mind”, citing the sensitive nature of the area that required a person to cross two gates to enter the premises.
The IG confirmed that the authorities were currently reviewing the video footage of the crime scene. Security officials across the province are on high alert, he added.
Separately, senior CTD officer Khalid Sohail told AFP that 300 kilogrammes of explosives including anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, artillery shells, and mortars were stored in the basement of the police station in addition to improvised explosive devices and suicide vests that had been recovered from the custody of terrorists.
He further stated that bomb disposal squads had begun investigations into the cause of the explosions and the subsequent collapse of the police station.
Condemnations
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a particularly strong condemnation, denouncing the explosion at the police station and said that the nation was in deep mourning over the loss of the police officials who were martyred.
“We will not rest until we eliminate this scourge. My condolences to bereaved families,” he wrote in the tweet.
Strongly condemn suicide attack on CTD police station in Swat. Nation is deeply grieved over martyrdom of police officials. Our police has been the first line of defence against terrorism. We will not rest until we eliminate this scourge. My condolences to bereaved families.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 24, 2023
The premier assured the nation that the details surrounding the blast will be disclosed once the investigation has concluded.
President Arif Alvi also conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims and expressed his sadness at the loss of life caused by the blast.
صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی کا کبل، سوات میں دھماکے میں قیمتی جانی نقصان پر اظہارِ افسوس
صدر مملکت کی زخمیوں کی جلد صحتیابی کی دعا
صدر مملکت کا جانبحق افراد کے لواحقین سے اظہار تعزیت
صدر مملکت کی جانبحق افراد کیلئے دعائے مغفرت، ورثاء کیلئے صبر جمیل کی دعا
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) April 25, 2023
PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan offered his condolences to the families of the victims. He also expressed his hopes for a speedy recovery for those who were injured in the incident.
My condolences go to the families of the victims of the terrible blast at the Kabal police station in Swat, which was also the office of the CTD & weapons storage facility, & prayers for the injured. https://t.co/rRogDNytUy
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 25, 2023
