At least one person was killed and another 16 injured, including police officers on duty, after a powerful explosion rocked the Swabi City police station in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday, causing the building to collapse, local authorities confirmed.
The blast occurred in the station's storage room, where explosive materials seized from terrorists were reportedly being kept. According to initial reports, the explosion was triggered by a short circuit, which caused multiple detonations.
District Police Officer (DPO) Swabi said investigations are underway to determine the exact nature of the blast. "The explosion has severely damaged the building, and rescue teams are on the ground," he stated.
Rescue workers and fire brigade personnel quickly reached the scene, transferring the injured to nearby hospitals, including the Bacha Khan Medical Complex, where an emergency has been declared.
A hospital spokesperson confirmed that eight injured have been admitted so far, with two in critical condition. "All necessary medical care is being provided, and the hospital administration is closely monitoring the situation," the spokesperson added.
Bomb disposal squad was called in to ensure the area is safe and assess the remaining risks.
Inspector General (IG) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Akhtar Hayat Khan Gandapur, paid a visit to the site of the explosion at the Swabi police station.
During his visit, the IG inspected the location where the blast occurred and met with the police officers present. He assessed the nature of the explosion and gathered details about the incident.
Following the inspection, IG Gandapur directed an investigation into the causes of the explosion and ordered strict action against any officers found responsible for negligence.
A similar explosion occurred last year at the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) office in Kabal, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The blast caused the building to collapse, killing at least 12 people and injuring 53 others, most of whom were policemen.
In 2013, a comparable incident took place at the Badaber police station in Peshawar, further highlighting the recurring threat of explosive material stored in police facilities.
Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur expressed deep sorrow over the death of a person in the explosion. Offering condolences to the bereaved family, the chief minister prayed for the soul of the deceased and strength for the family to bear this loss.
In his statement, the CM announced financial assistance for the family of the deceased and directed the concerned authorities to take necessary action in this regard. "We stand in solidarity with the grieving family during this difficult time," he said.
CM Gandapur assured the affected family that the provincial government would not leave them unsupported and would provide all possible help.
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi, also expressed his condolences over the tragic incident, offering prayers for the quick recovery of those injured in the explosion. The governor extended his sympathies to the victims’ families and expressed deep regret over the loss of life.
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