Pardubice Fire Investigated as Terrorism
Czech police are investigating a fire at the LPP Holding industrial complex in Pardubice as a possible terrorist attack. A group calling itself The Earthquake Faction has claimed responsibility, linking the attack to a protest against cooperation with the Israeli firm Elbit Systems.
Fire at Defense Firm Complex
A fire broke out in an industrial complex in Pardubice, approximately one hundred kilometers east of Prague, in the early morning hours of March 20, 2026. The fire destroyed a metal warehouse and spread to an administrative building before firefighters extinguished it. No one was injured in the incident.
The affected facility belongs to the Czech defense firm LPP Holding, which specializes in the development and production of military technology, including unmanned aerial vehicles. In 2023, the company announced its intention to build a so-called "center of excellence" for unmanned aerial systems in cooperation with the Israeli defense conglomerate Elbit Systems.
Unknown Group Claims Responsibility for Attack
Shortly after the fire, Czech media outlets, including Aktuálně.cz, received an email from a group calling itself The Earthquake Faction. In a statement, the group describes itself as an "internationalist underground network" and claims to have set fire to a "key production center for Israeli weapons." It justifies its action as a protest against the company's alleged role in the conflict in Gaza.
The statement included a video purportedly showing individuals pouring flammable liquid on the building. According to media reports, the group's internet domain was registered only the day before the attack, raising questions about its true background and organizational structure.
Counter-Terrorism Unit Leads Investigation
Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar confirmed that there is a "probable connection to a terrorist attack" and convened a meeting of the government's security committee. Police President Martin Vondrášek stated that the police are investigating an "intentionally set fire" and are "intensively searching for the perpetrators."
The investigation is being led by the National Centre Against Terrorism, Extremism and Cybercrime (NCTEKK) in cooperation with the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office in Prague. The civilian counterintelligence service BIS and Military Intelligence are also involved in the case.
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš described the situation as "very serious" and interrupted a foreign trip due to the incident to return to Prague and coordinate security measures.
Security of Defense Industry Under Scrutiny
The incident raises fundamental questions about the security of the Czech defense industry. The Czech Republic is one of the major European suppliers of military technology — the Pardubice region has a long tradition in this sector.
The attack comes at a time when the Middle East conflict is polarizing public opinion regarding military cooperation with Israel across Europe. Elbit Systems, the largest Israeli private defense company, faces protests from activists in a number of countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia.
According to available information, security measures at similar defense facilities throughout the Czech Republic will be strengthened. Police have not yet publicly identified any suspects and are continuing their intensive investigation.
