Pakistan: Suspected short circuit causes explosion at police station in Swabi late Sept. 26, leaving at least one dead and 16 others injured

Authorities are responding to an explosion that occurred at a police station in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, late Sept. 26. Preliminary reports suggest that a short circuit may have triggered the blast in a weapons storage unit. The explosion severely damaged the building. The incident has reportedly killed at least one person and left at least 16 others injured; casualty figures are likely to rise over the short term. Security personnel have arrived at the scene and closed the adjacent Swabi-Topi Road to traffic. Officials will likely provide further updates over the coming hours.

Authorities will almost certainly maintain an increased security presence in the affected area to facilitate investigative and recovery operations. Transport and business disruptions will likely affect the vicinity of the police station and any areas that are subject to an increased security presence.