A powerful explosion occurred inside the Kabal police
station late on Monday evening, resulting in the loss of at least a dozen
lives, including police officials. Hospital sources reported that 57 people,
including three civilians, sustained injuries in the blast. The police station,
reportedly housing the Counter Terrorism Department office, was rocked by the
explosion, which took place at around 8:20pm according to District Police
Officer Swat Shafiullah. However, the nature of the explosion could not be
independently confirmed at the time of this report.
Later in the night, DIG Malakand Nasir Mehmood Satti stated
to the media that the initial investigation indicated that the incident was not
a result of terrorist activity or a suicide blast, but rather due to
"carelessness." He revealed that the explosion occurred at a weapon
storage facility inside an old office of the Counter Terrorism Department on
the premises of the police station. However, he also mentioned that a probe was
still ongoing in light of emerging evidence.
Numerous
Individuals Trapped Beneath Debris
The aftermath of the explosion resulted in severe damage to
the police station, the CTD office, and a mosque located within the premises,
with the roof collapsing and a fire erupting. Senior police officials reported
that at least 20 policemen were trapped under the debris caused by the intense
explosion.
Imdad Khan, an injured policeman who was taken to Saidu
Teaching Hospital (STH), shared that he was inside the kitchen with fellow
policemen when the powerful blast tore through the building, causing a portion
of the kitchen building to collapse and a massive fire to break out. He also
mentioned hearing multiple blasts. The DIG explained that minor blasts followed
due to the ammunition stored in the depot where the explosion occurred.
In response to the emergency, health facilities declared a
state of emergency, and Rescue 1122 teams were dispatched to the scene. Law
enforcement agencies heightened security in the area and cordoned off the
vicinity after the blast. Meanwhile, the Swat Olasi Pasoon announced a protest
against the incident in Mingora today.
Fatalities
Reported in Lakki Marwat Incident
A senior CTD official disclosed that among the three militants who were killed in an exchange of fire at the house of a militant commander Zubair of the Tipu Gul group in the Paharkhel Tal area within the jurisdiction of Lakki Marwat police station, one was Nouman, the alleged killer of a retired colonel Muqarab Khan who was shot dead at his residence on Sunday. The ex-army officer, who had served in an intelligence agency, was hosting guests at his Hujra on the second day of Eidul Fitr when two unidentified armed men entered and fired at him, resulting in his death. The armed men managed to escape from the scene while holding others hostage at gunpoint.
Law enforcement personnel pursued the assailants, who fled on a motorbike towards Darga, a riverine forest. On Monday, Bannu CTD personnel received information about a militant hideout, and upon reaching the location, the militants opened fire, resulting in an encounter. Around 10 heavily armed militants were reportedly prepared for the confrontation. Three militants, including Nouman, were killed, while another militant named Tehseenullah sustained injuries, according to a senior CTD official.
The CTD believes that other militants
may have sustained injuries and could still be present in the area, prompting a
search operation by the police and security forces. Inspector Javed Iqbal and
Constable Irfan of the CTD were seriously wounded and were shifted to the
Combined Military Hospital, Bannu, and Khalif Gulnawaz Hospital for treatment.
Senior CTD officials confirmed that the targeted killing of the retired
military officer was carried out by an organized militant group, as revealed
during the search operation.
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