Powerful blast destroys police station in Peshawar, 8 injured

The blast occurred in the police station at Gulbahar, a suburb of the provincial capital Peshawar. The explosion triggered a fire that engulfed the building.

The injured were taken to Lady Reading Hospital. The large police station has a 'maal khana' or store for explosives and ammunition.

One police official initially said the blast occurred in the room used to store explosives. However, city police chief Liaqat Ali blamed the blast on "gases in sewer lines".

Another official said a natural gas leak in sewers under the police station caused the explosion.

Officials also said some explosives stored in the building exploded after the blast. Footage on television showed local residents and policemen carrying injured persons and rushing them to hospital.