An office of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) at Kabal area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (K-P) scenic Swat valley collapsed to the ground on Monday after a huge explosion that killed at least 12 people and injured 53 others, mostly policemen.
“The explosion occurred within the police station, resulting in the complete collapse of the building,” Khalid Sohail, a senior police CTD officer told AFP.
Deputy Superintendent Police (DSP) Attaullah said dozens of people were trapped under the debris of the three-story building after the explosion that was heard miles away and that broke the windows of a number of neighboring buildings.
“Rescuers rushed to the area soon after the incident and cordoned it off. The rescue operation is still under way,” the DSP told the Express Tribune.
“A state of emergency has been announced at the Saidu Sharif Hospital which has so far received 12 dead bodies and 53 injured,” he said.
Talking to media later at night, District Police Officer Shafiullah Gandapur ruled out the possibility of a terrorist attack on the CTD station, claiming that the explosions took place after the explosives stored inside the building detonated due to a short circuit.
He said around 50 CDT officials were present in the building at the time of the explosion.
Gandapur claimed that the bomb disposal squad could not find any evidence of a terrorist attack.
“More explosive material may be there inside the debris. I, therefore, request journalists not to stay too close to the explosion site,” he said.
