One dead, 18 wounded in blast at Swabi police station

• 33 wounded persons under treatment at different hospitals: DPO.
• Says police investigators ascertaining nature of powerful explosion.
• KP CM seeks report, orders providing best medical treatment to injured.

SWABI: At least one person was killed and 18 sustained injuries in an explosion inside a police station in Khyber Pakhtunkwa's Swabi district, Commissioner Mardan Division Javed Marwat said on Thursday.

As per an initial report received by the Central Police Office, the explosion apparently occurred "due to a short circuit" inside a depot on the first floor of the police station.

Rescue and firefighting teams rushed to the scene immediately and started shifting the wounded cops to the Bacha Khan Medical where emergency has been imposed.

The power blast affected the building which caught fire, however, it was doused following an immediate response from firefighting teams.

According to rescue officials, 15 wounded policemen have been shifted to the hospital.

KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur took notice of the incident and ordered the inspector general and chief secretary to immediately reach the Swabi police station.

He also ordered them to present a report after ascertaining the genre of the explosion. He also asked authorities to ensure timely medical assistance to the injured.

District Police Officer (DPO) Haroon Rashid told the media that 33 wounded persons were shifted to different hospitals. He added that nature of the explosion was being ascertained.

Dr Asif, medical superintendent of the District Headquarters Hospital, confirmed that 26 injured have been brought to the DHQ hospital. Subsequently, BKMC spokesperson Raham Khan said that eight injured persons were receiving medical treatment at the health facility.