ISLAMABAD: The death toll from Monday’s twin blasts in Swat district of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province surged to 16 on Tuesday as the cause of the explosions was yet to be ascertained, officials said.
Two back-to-back explosions rocked the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) police station inside Kabal Police Lines at 8:29pm on Monday night, according to a report issued by the Office of Deputy Commissioner Swat.
The blasts, which shattered the roof of the police station, the CTD office, and a mosque located inside the station, were also followed by a fire.
According to the KP police, out of those who lost their lives in the explosions, nine were police officers and six were civilians, while the identification process for others is still ongoing.
The report said 63 people were also injured in the incident, eight of whom were in critical condition.
A rescue operation was underway at the blast site for the second day, local media reported.
Meanwhile, KP Health Secretary Mahmood Aslam Wazir said hospitals across Swat had been put on high alert while an emergency had also been declared at the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar to cope with emergencies.
No indications of forced entry in preliminary probe: IG
Speaking to the media today, KP Inspector General Akhtar Hayat said there are no indications of forced entry or gunshots as per the preliminary investigation.
He said explosive weapons and ammunition stored in the depot at the police station caught fire, causing two huge explosions within an interval of 12 minutes.
The official, however, added that further details were being gathered.
He pledged to examine all aspects of the incident “with an open mind”, citing the sensitive nature of the area that required crossing two gates to enter the premises.
The IG said the video footage of the crime scene was currently being reviewed, adding that the security officials across the province were on high alert.
