Suspected terror attack behind Czech industrial fire, officials say

A major fire at an industrial complex in Pardubice early Friday morning is being investigated as a deliberate terrorist attack, according to Czech Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar.

The facility, which houses the defense technology firm LPP Holding, was reportedly targeted due to its partnerships with Israeli weapons manufacturers.

“There is a probable connection to a terrorist attack,” Metnar stated, noting that while the incident resulted in significant property damage, no injuries have been reported

The investigation has been taken over by the National Centre Against Terrorism, Extremism and Cybercrime (NCTEKK) in cooperation with the Prosecutor General’s Office in Prague. Both the civilian counter-intelligence service (BIS) and Military Intelligence (VZ) are also participating in the probe.

The group described the Pardubice site as a “key Israeli weapons manufacturing hub” and stated the arson was intended to protest the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

A video allegedly showing the fire being set was also circulated on the X network.

LPP Holding had previously announced plans to develop and manufacture unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) at the Pardubice site in collaboration with the Israeli defense giant Elbit Systems.  The Elbit works at Shipley in Yorkshire has been targeted for the same reason several times.