A Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) official was martyred and two others were injured when a powerful explosion ripped through a CTD police station in Peshawar on Sunday. Preliminary investigations suggest the blast occurred in the armoury, where old explosive materials were stored. The incident caused significant damage to the building, sparking a fire and triggering secondary explosions as ammunition ignited.
Peshawar Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Mian Saeed stated that the initial assessment points to a short circuit as the likely cause of the explosion. He said the fire quickly spread to other sections of the depot, leading to further detonations and partial collapse of the structure. “The explosion appears to have been caused by old explosives kept in the armoury,” he added, confirming that the blast was accidental and not an act of terrorism.
Read more : CTD officer martyred, two injured in Peshawar blast
Rescue and emergency operations were launched immediately after the incident. Police cordoned off the area, while Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU), Rescue 1122, and fire brigade teams worked to extinguish the blaze and clear the debris. “All detainees were safely evacuated from the lock-up,” CCPO Saeed confirmed, adding that a clearance operation remains underway to ensure the site is fully secure.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfikar Ahmed took notice of the explosion and ordered a detailed report within five days. A special CTD investigation team, led by SSP CTD, visited the site to gather forensic evidence and examine the remains of the explosives. Officials said that materials recovered from the rubble have been sent for laboratory testing to verify the cause and composition of the detonated substances.
Investigators are also reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas to establish the sequence of events leading up to the blast. Statements from police personnel present at the time are being recorded to support the inquiry. Authorities assured that the findings of the investigation will guide future safety protocols to prevent similar incidents at CTD facilities handling explosive materials.