Swat CTD blast 'not terrorist attack'
Police officials on Tuesday stated that yesterday’s mysterious blast at a counter-terrorism department (CTD) office in the Kabal area of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s (K-P) Swat Valley was caused by explosives inside the building and not because of terrorism.
The CTD office collapsed to the ground on Monday after a massive explosion killed at least 17 people and injured 53 others, mostly policemen.
K-P Inspector General (IG) Akhtar Hayat Gandapur spoke to media personnel and stated that five prisoners arrested on charges of terrorism were killed in the blast. He added that nine policemen and three civilians were also killed.
IG Gandapur clarified that the explosion was caused by explosives detonating within the police station, "not terrorism".
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.
Read Panic grips Swat after spurt in TTP activities
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.