The number of fatalities from Monday’s twin explosions at the Kabal police station in Swat has risen to 16. However, at the same time, the cause of the blasts remains unclear.
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) office, located within the police station grounds, experienced two consecutive explosions on Monday night. The blasts were followed by a fire that destroyed the roofs of the police station, the CTD office, and a mosque within the station.
Of the 16 fatalities, nine were police officers, and six were civilians; identifying the remaining victims was still in progress. The report also stated that 63 people were injured, with eight in critical condition.
Rescue operations continued on the second day, with around 100 rescue personnel and heavy equipment participating. The deceased, hailing from various regions, were transported to their hometowns for burial.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Secretary Mahmood Aslam Wazir announced that all hospitals in Swat were on high alert. Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar had declared a state of emergency to deal with any urgent cases.
Inspector General Akhtar Hayat said preliminary investigations revealed no evidence of forced entry or gunfire at the scene. He added that the police station’s depot caught fire, resulting in two massive explosions. However, more details are being gathered, and all aspects of the incident will be investigated openly.
Authorities are also reviewing surveillance footage from the crime scene. Meanwhile, security officials across the province remain on high alert.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the explosion and expressed his condolences to the victims’ families, promising that the details surrounding the incident would be made public once the investigation is complete.
President Arif Alvi and former Prime Minister Imran Khan also expressed their condolences to the victims’ families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the blasts.
