Late on Monday evening, a powerful explosion rocked the Kabal police station, killing at least 12 people, including police officials. The blast also injured at least 57 people, including three civilians, according to hospital sources. The police station, which reportedly housed the Counter Terrorism Department office, was the site of the explosion, which occurred at around 8:20 pm, as reported by the District Police Officer Swat Shafiullah. However, the nature of the explosion could not be independently confirmed at the time of the report.
The explosion occurred just hours after a raid by the CTD in Lakki Marwat resulted in the killing of three suspected militants. Malakand DIG Nasir Mehmood Satti later stated that the blast was not a result of any terrorist activity or suicide blast but “carelessness,” as per the initial investigation. He said the explosion occurred at a weapon storage facility inside an old office of the Counter Terrorism Department on the premises of the police station. Nonetheless, a probe was still underway in light of emerging evidence, according to the police officer.
20 trapped under rubble
The blast, which also caused a fire, shattered the roof of the police station, the CTD office, and a mosque located inside the station. At least 20 policemen were trapped under the collapsed roof due to the intensity of the explosion. Imdad Khan, an injured policeman at Saidu Teaching Hospital (STH), reported that he was inside the kitchen with other policemen when the powerful blast ripped through the building. Emergency was declared in health facilities soon after the explosion, and Rescue 1122 teams rushed to the spot. Security was put on high alert following the explosion, and the area was cordoned off by law enforcement agencies.
Three killed in Lakki
The Swat Olasi Pasoon announced a protest against the blast in Mingora today. The explosion followed the killing of a retired military officer who was shot dead at his residence by armed men on Sunday. Among the three slain militants was the alleged killer of the retired colonel. The police said the ex-army officer, who had served in an intelligence agency, was receiving guests at his Hujra on the second day of Eidul Fitr when two unidentified armed men entered and fired at him. The assailants escaped from the scene, but law enforcement personnel attempted to chase them.
On Monday, Bannu CTD personnel received information about a hideout of militants. As they reached the hideout, the militants opened fire on them. It seemed that around 10 heavily armed militants were well prepared for the encounter. “Three militants, including Nouman, were killed, and another militant, Tehseenullah, sustained injuries,” a senior CTD official said. Inspector Javed Iqbal and Constable Irfan of the CTD were seriously wounded and shifted to the Combined Military Hospital, Bannu, and Khalif Gulnawaz Hospital.
Senior CTD officials confirmed that an organized militant group was involved in the targeted killing of the retired military officer, and a search operation was launched in the area by police and the security forces.
