On 24 April 2023, an explosion in the Counter-Terrorism Department building in Kabal, Swat Valley, Pakistan, killed at least 17 people and wounded more than 50 others.[1] Although the origin of the explosion is still being looked into, it is assumed that either an ancient ammo store or the explosive material kept in the building's basement caught fire.[2][3][4]
| 2023 Kabal explosions | |
|---|---|
| Location | Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) building, Kabal Tehsil, Swat District, Pakistan |
| Date | 24 April 2023 |
Attack type | Explosion |
| Weapons | Explosives |
| Deaths | 17 |
| Injured | Over 50 |
| Perpetrators | Unknown |
| Motive | Unknown |
Although their role is unconfirmed, Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP) claimed responsibility for the attack a day later.[5]
Background
editThe Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has been implicated in a number of recent attacks against security personnel. Up until 2014, the TTP ruled over the Swat Valley and other regions of northwest Pakistan until significant degradation by the Pakistani military.[6]
Investigation
editAccording to Sharifullah Khan, a police official in Kabal, the explosions were caused by a fire that started in the basement of the CTD building, where explosives were being kept. The authorities were looking into whether it was an attack, but provincial police chief Akhtar Hayat believes that old ammunition storage in the building may have caused the explosion. The explosion did not seem to be an act of terrorism, according to Sohail Khalid, the regional head of the counter-terrorism division, who spoke to Reuters. The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for a probe.[7]
References
edit- ^ Khaliq, Fazal (25 April 2023). "Death toll from Swat police station explosions rises to 17; fact-finding committee formed". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
- ^ "7 killed, 45 injured in blast at CTD PS Kabal area of Swat". www.radio.gov.pk.
- ^ "12 policemen martyred in blasts at Swat CTD police station". www.geo.tv.
- ^ "12 martyred in twin bombings inside Swat's CTD police station". Samaa. AFP. 24 April 2023.
- ^ "Review Of Twitter Account Of New Jihadi Group Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), Which Warns Pakistani Army: 'Hundreds Of Mujahideen And Dozens Of Islam's Martyrdom-Seekers Are Ever Ready For Sacrifices With Money And Body'". MEMRI. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
- ^ "Pakistan: Explosions kill 12 in Swat Valley counter-terror office". BBC News. 24 April 2023.
- ^ "At least 12 killed in blasts at Pakistan counterterrorism office". www.aljazeera.com.