President expresses sorrow over deaths in Swat blast

Islamabad: President Dr. Arif Alvi Tuesday expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of precious human lives in a blast that destroyed building of Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Kabal, Swat on Monday night.

The president expressed his condolences with the bereaved families and prayed for them to bear the losses with fortitude, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release.

He also prayed for the high ranks of the departed souls and for the early recovery of the injured.

Earlier on Monday, 15 security personnel including two officers of CTD were martyred while 57 sustained the injuries in the explosion. Eight of the injured are in critical condition.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) CTD Khalid Sohail said that there were two explosion in the police station due to which the building collapsed.

Following the blast, the electricity in the area was cut off.

“There were weapons and mortar shells were also present in the police station. One of the possibilities is that blast could have occurred due to the explosion of mortar shells or there may also have been a suicide blast,” statd DIG.

He added that blast did not take place at the gate of police station which usually happens in a suicide attack. The building of the police station was old, most of the offices and officials were present in the new building.

Inspector General (IG) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Akhtar Hayat Gandapur confirmed the death of five and 15 injured people in the blast stating that security is on high alert in the province.

Later, police officials said that the number of martyred policemen has increased to 15, while more than 50 are injured and are undergoing treatment.