PESHAWAR: A Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officer embraced martyrdom while two others sustained injuries after an explosion rocked the CTD police station in Peshawar on Sunday.
According to Peshawar Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Mian Saeed, initial findings suggest that the explosion occurred in the station’s armoury, where old explosive materials had been stored. “The blast seems to have been caused by the accidental detonation of outdated explosives kept in the depot,” he stated.
The explosion was followed by a fire that spread to nearby sections of the building, triggering further explosions as ammunition caught fire. A portion of the structure also collapsed due to the impact of the blast.
CCPO Saeed confirmed the martyrdom of one CTD officer and injuries to two others, adding that all detainees held in the station’s lock-up were safely evacuated. “At this stage, the incident does not appear to be an act of terrorism,” he clarified.
Following the incident, police sealed off the area while teams from the Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU), Rescue 1122, and the fire brigade carried out rescue and clearance operations. “The clearance and cooling process is still underway,” the CCPO said.
A special investigation team from CTD, led by SSP CTD, reached the site to collect forensic evidence and determine the exact cause of the blast. “Teams from BDU and CTD are sifting through the debris for material evidence and reviewing CCTV footage from surrounding areas to reconstruct the sequence of events,” police officials noted.
Statements from officers who were inside the station during the incident are also being recorded as part of the ongoing investigation.
