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DERA ISMAIL KHAN/MIRANSHAH:
Five policemen, including a Station House Officer (SHO), were martyred and a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) along with his driver sustained critical injuries during a gunfight with terrorists in the limits of Panyala Police Station, Dera Ismail Khan, on Wednesday.
According to the police, the incident took place in Wanda Budh area of Paharpur tehsil after the police received intelligence about the presence of terrorists in the locality.
A policeman was sent out to carry out an operation. The terrorists who were lying in ambush opened fire indiscriminately on the team. The police retaliated, leading to a prolonged exchange of fire.
As a result, SHO Panyala Fahim Mumtaz Khan Marwat, Constable Tauqeer, Constable Irfan, Constable Ghulam Subhani and Constable Wajahat embraced martyrdom.
DSP Paharpur Circle Hafiz Muhammad Adnan Khan and his driver Muhammad Tariq were critically injured and shifted to Civil Hospital for medical treatment. The bodies of the martyred staff were also shifted to the hospital to complete legal formalities.
Following the incident, security was put on high alert and a large contingent of police and other law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area.
A search operation was underway with checkpoints set up at entry and exit points to trace the attackers.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack and attributed it to ‘Fitna al-Khawarij’. In his statement, Naqvi expressed condolences to the families of the martyred officers and praised their bravery and sacrifice.
“The brave sons of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police have achieved the highest rank of martyrdom in the line of duty,” he said. Naqvi also wished DSP Adnan a speedy recovery.
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took notice of the incident and strongly condemned the attack. In a statement, he paid tribute to the sacrifices of the martyred staff.
“The provincial government will provide all possible assistance to the affected families,” he said. He further said that the KP Police was in the frontline in the fight against terrorism.
“Terrorism is a common challenge for the entire country. Actions against anti-peace elements will be further intensified in the province,” he said.
Afridi observed that police morale could not be dampened by such cowardly acts. He said a comprehensive and effective strategy was essential for the complete eradication of terrorism.
Three terrorists killed
Police foiled a major terrorist attack on Khoniakhel police in Bannus Wazir sub-division late on Tuesday evening, killing three terrorists and injuring nine others in a gunfight.
According to the police, a large number of heavily armed terrorists launched a coordinated attack on the police post.
Sources claimed that the terrorists were trying to lay siege and take control of the facility. However, the police personnel on duty were already on high alert and responded quickly to the attack.
A gun battle ensued as the police returned fire, forcing the attackers to retreat.
Additional police forces, including the Quick Response Force and the Rapid Response Force, were dispatched to the scene. The terrorists reportedly fled under the cover of darkness.
A police statement said three terrorists were killed and nine others wounded in the operation, dealing a “significant blow” to the terror network. The deceased were identified as Commander Umar Azam alias Khidmati and Shahidullah, while the identification of the third attacker is underway.
A police officer sustained minor injuries during the shootout and was reported to be non-life-threatening.
Police further claimed that in an apparent attempt to avenge the death of their personnel, terrorists also tried to attack Ahmadzai police station and Fatehkhel police post later in the night. Both attempts were thwarted.
Bannu RPO lauded the bravery and professionalism of the police personnel and announced commendation certificates and cash rewards to those involved in foiling the attack.
He reaffirmed that there is no room for terrorists in the Bannu region and promised continued indiscriminate action against anti-state elements.
He added that the Bannu Police consists of brave and dedicated officers who are ready at all times to confront any threat and expressed confidence that the region would soon be cleansed of terrorism.
