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PESHAWAR: A constable was killed while two others were injured Sunday morning as explosives detonated inside a Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) police station in the northwestern Peshawar city, a police official confirmed. 

Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Dr. Mian Saeed told reporters that a blast was reported early Sunday morning. He said it was later discovered that the blast had occurred in the CTD police station located on Peshawar’s University Road area. 

“Initially, after verification, we can say that some stored explosive material which was present inside the storeroom of the police station has exploded,” Dr. Saeed said. 

“A CTD constable died in the incident and two other officials were injured, while a portion of the building has been damaged,” he said. 

The police official said an initial investigation into the incident revealed the explosion was caused by a short circuit in the building’s storeroom. 

Dr. Saeed said rescue and military officials were present on the site after the blast occurred, adding that a clearance operation was underway. 

KP police ruled out the possibility of a “terrorist attack” in a separate report. 

“Preliminary Assessment: Police sources confirm that this incident does not appear to be a terrorist attack,” the report said. 

The incident takes place as Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province reels from a surge in militant attacks in recent weeks. 

WELLINGTON: New Zealand batting great Kane Williamson announced his retirement from Twenty20 internationals on Sunday, saying the team needed “clarity” ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Williamson will depart the shortest format as his country’s second-highest run-scorer, tallying 2,575 runs from 93 matches, including 18 half-centuries, at an average of 33.4.

He captained New Zealand to the final of the 2021 T20 World Cup — where he scored 85 in a losing cause against Australia — and to semifinal appearances in 2016 and 2022.

Williamson relinquished the captaincy in both white ball formats when signing a “casual” contract with NZ Cricket, allowing him to pick and choose his availability.

Last week the 35-year-old confirmed he would be cutting back on his international commitments to focus more time on his young family and playing in professional white ball leagues.

“It’s the right time for myself and the team. It gives the team clarity for the series moving forward and ahead of their next major focus which is the T20 World Cup,” Williamson said in a statement.

“There’s so much T20 talent there and the next period will be important to get cricket into these guys and get them ready for the World Cup.”

Williamson will miss the home T20 series against the West Indies starting on Wednesday and has also made himself unavailable for the subsequent ODI series.

However, he will be available for three Tests against the tourists in December, where he will look to add to his New Zealand-record 9276 runs in the longest format.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink said Williamson had earned the right to determine how he plays out the rest of his international career.

“We’ve made it clear to Kane he has our full support as he reaches the back end of his illustrious career,” Weenink said.

“We would, of course, love to see him play for as long as possible, but there’s no doubt whenever he does decide to finally call time, he will go down as a legend of New Zealand cricket.”