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12h ago

Czech Authorities Treat Fire at LPP’s Pardubice Site as Suspected Terror Attack

An unknown group claimed arson over alleged Elbit ties — a link LPP rejects.

Firefighters and investigators check the scene of the burnt factory owned by Czech arms maker LPP Holding on March 20, 2026 in Pardubicde city, East Bohemia, Czech Republic. Czech police are investigating the fire that broke out at an arms company on Friday, March 13, 2026 as a potential terror attack, the interior minister said, after an anti-Israel group claimed responsibility. The LPP Holding develops and produces drones and other military equipment and cooperates with the Israeli Elbit Systems company, it's said. (Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP via Getty Images)
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Police officers and a firefighters stand in front of a burned production hall at an industrial area in Pardubice, Czech Republic, March 20, 2026. REUTERS/David W Cerny
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Overview

  • Firefighters said an overnight blaze destroyed a warehouse at the arms maker’s complex and spread to an administrative building, with no injuries reported.
  • Investigators launched a probe under terrorism provisions, and Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said it was a deliberately set fire as officers intensively seek suspects.
  • Prime Minister Andrej Babis convened the State Security Council and urged tighter protection at defense producers, warning licenses could be withheld for poor security.
  • The Earthquake Faction claimed responsibility, citing alleged Elbit connections, but the claim remains unverified and the group’s web domain was registered the previous day.
  • LPP, which supplies drones used by Ukraine, is cooperating with authorities, and a Czech fundraising leader said planned deliveries of MTS-40 drones to Kyiv remain on track.