Pakistan: 10 Killed In Suspected Suicide Attack At Police Station In Swat District

Several people were killed in a suspected suicide attack on a police station in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

At least 10 people, including eight policemen, were killed and more than 20 people injured in a suspected suicide attack at a counter-terrorism Department (CTD) police station in Swat district's Kabal town on Tuesday, Pakistan's Geo News reported.

The Inspector General of Police for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Akhtar Hayat Khan, stated that security officials in the province were on high alert. Earlier, the District Police Officer, Shafi Ullah Gandapur, reported that two explosions had occurred inside the police station, resulting in the building's destruction, reported Geo News.

The collapse of the building caused a power outage, the extent of which is yet to be determined, according to CTD DIG Khalid Sohail. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah condemned the attack and expressed sadness over the loss of life. He asserted that the scourge of terrorism would be eradicated soon. This attack is the latest in a series of incidents as Pakistan grapples with a surge in terrorism, with militants targeting law enforcement officials in their latest offensive. Security agencies have responded by increasing their operations against terrorists.

Post-incident videos showed policemen and medics running with stretchers and carrying the injured to ambulances. Details of the attack are yet to be revealed.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa caretaker CM Azam Khan condemned the blast. He said the provincial government would not abandon the families of those killed in the attack.  

In February, terror outfit Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, also known as Pakistani Taliban, attacked a police station in Karachi in a similar manner and killed three officers. They first effected explosions at the police station and then opened fire. A total of three militants were involved in the attack. The Pakistani authorities eventually regained control of the premises after an operation that lasted several hours.

The Counter Terrorism Department killed the mastermind of the attack, Iriadullah, in a shootout last month. His accomplice, Abdul; Waheed, was also killed in the CTD operation, reported Geo News.