Claim: Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, posted a tweet expressing his condolences to the families of the victims of a terrorist attack on the Counter Terrorism Department in Swat.
Fact: The DPO and DIG Malakand believe this was a result of mishandling of ammunition rather than.
On 25 April 2023, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif posted a tweet expressing his condolences to the families of the victims of a terrorist attack on the Counter Terrorism Department in Swat. In his tweet, he said, “Strongly condemn suicide attack on CTD police station in Swat. Nation is deeply grieved over martyrdom of police officials. Our police has been the first line of defence against terrorism. We will not rest until we eliminate this scourge. My condolences to bereaved families.”
Fact or Fiction?
To confirm the nature of the attack at the CTD station in Swat, Soch Fact Check found footage of the DPO and DIG in Malakand claiming that this incident could be a result of a short circuit in an munitions depot.
DPO Shafi Ullah Ghandapur said that this was an old CTD compound and the incident took place in the basement where the department had also stocked explosives as well. The bomb disposal squad has also inspected the crime scene and assessed that there was likely a short circuit in the basement. The DPO added that it is unlikely that this incident took place because of an external incident.
In response to a question, he said that it can not be confirmed whether this is a terrorist attack. He believes this incident took place because of a short circuit, as explained by the investigation reports. DIG Malakand Nasir Mahmood Dasti also spoke to the media and clarified that this incident did not seem to be a terrorist attack but was, in fact, a result of reckless handling of ammunition and artillery, and after the first explosion, the rest followed. He clarified that two CTD officers and four civilians were killed, while 18 CTD officers were injured.
Local law enforcement agents reported to the press that it is unclear whether the incident was a terrorist attack. A few hours after posting his tweet, Shehbaz Sharif posted a clarification saying: “Clarification: The nature of the blast is being investigated and as soon as the security agencies reach the conclusion, it will be shared with the nation.”
Virality
Shehbaz Sharif’s tweet was viewed 64,400 times and reached over 1800 interactions.
Conclusion: The explosion at the Counter Terrorism Department in Swat may not have been a terrorist incident, contrary to prime minister Shehbaz Sharif’s tweet.