ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - At least one member of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) was killed and two others were injured after an “accidental” explosion inside one of the forces’ offices in Baghdad on Tuesday.

The blast occurred while the PMF members were carrying out a “technical duty” in the Jurf al-Nadaf area of ​​Baghdad, according to a statement from the Popular Mobilization Commission (PMC).

“The explosion was caused by explosive materials left behind by ISIS [Islamic State] terrorist gangs, which were stored inside one of the [Explosives Ordnance Disposal] Directorate's office,” the statement added.

The PMC stressed that the incident has been brought under control and that necessary measures have been taken.

Iraqi security forces routinely carry out “controlled” explosions of remnants of war, of which the public are alerted in advance.

The PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi, was formed upon a call by Iraq’s top Shiite authority Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani soon after the Islamic State (ISIS) took over large swathes of territory in Iraq. The force has been officially incorporated into the Iraqi armed forces, enjoying similar privileges as the Iraqi army.

In April, at least five PMF were injured while attempting to shoot down an explosive-laden drone in the western province of Anbar.