An explosion rocked the Peshawar CTD police station on Sunday, leaving one officer martyred and two others injured when stored explosives unexpectedly detonated inside the building.
According to Peshawar Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Mian Saeed, the preliminary investigation indicates that the blast occurred in the armoury, where old explosives had been stored. “The explosion appears to have been caused by the detonation of old explosives kept in the armoury, likely triggered by a short circuit,” he explained.
The Peshawar CTD police station blast caused a fire that quickly spread to other sections of the building, setting off additional munitions and resulting in multiple secondary explosions. A portion of the structure collapsed under the impact, the CCPO confirmed, adding that two officers sustained injuries while one CTD official embraced martyrdom.
“All detainees were safely evacuated from the lock-up,” he assured, emphasizing that the incident does not appear to be an act of terrorism. “The clearance operation is underway,” CCPO Saeed added, noting that police and rescue teams responded immediately to control the fire and secure the area.
Following the explosion, police cordoned off the site while teams from the Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU), Rescue 1122, and the fire brigade launched efforts to clear debris and prevent further damage.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfikar Ahmed took notice of the incident and directed the Additional IGP CTD to submit a detailed report within five days. Meanwhile, a special CTD investigation team, led by SSP CTD, visited the site to gather forensic evidence and inspect the damaged structure.
“The investigation team has collected initial evidence and is reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas to determine the sequence of events,” said police officials. Statements from officers present at the time of the blast are also being recorded to assist in the probe.
Authorities have vowed to determine the exact cause of the Peshawar CTD police station blast and ensure stricter safety measures for handling and storing explosives in police facilities across the province.
