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LAHORE:
Two police officials were martyred and four others injured when a suicide bomber hit a check post in Bhakkar district on Tuesday night, officials confirmed.
Bhakkar District Police Officer (DPO) Shahzad Rafiq said the attack took place near Dajil check post where police were conducting a search operation to maintain law and order. According to him, the suicide bomber approached the checkpoint and detonated himself during the action.
“The suicide bomber came near the check post and blew himself up while we were conducting a search operation in the area to maintain law and order,” DPO Rafiq said.
The blast claimed the lives of policemen Muhammad Faheem and Muhammad Shehbaz, while another officer, Arshad, sustained injuries.
Three bystanders were also injured in the blast, although their identities have yet to be confirmed. All injured persons were shifted to District Headquarters Hospital, the DPO added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack and expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of police personnel in the incident.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing, the Prime Minister extended his condolences to the families of the martyred officers and prayed for the departed souls. He also prayed for patience and strength for the bereaved families during this difficult time.
The Prime Minister stated that the sacrifices made by the police in the war against terrorism would never be allowed to go in vain. He affirmed that the government remains resolute in its commitment to completely eradicate terrorism from the country.
Reiterating the state’s resolve, the prime minister said the fight against terrorism would continue until the menace is completely eliminated and lasting peace is restored.
In a statement, President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the terrorist attack. He expressed grief over the martyrdom of the police officials and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families. The President also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also condemned the attack on the police check post, paid tribute to the martyred officers and saluted their sacrifices in the line of duty.
She expressed heartfelt sympathies to the families of the deceased and directed the authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured policeman and other injured persons.
The attack comes on the same day that six policemen, including a deputy superintendent of police, were martyred in a separate terrorist attack on a police vehicle in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kohat district.
The Dajil check post is located along the border between Dera Ismail Khan and Bhakkar, an area that has witnessed increased security problems in recent years.
