KOHAT:
Five police officials, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), were martyred when terrorists attacked a police van in Shakardara area on the outskirts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Kohat on Tuesday, police said.
According to details, the attack took place when a police team led by DSP Lachi Asad Mahmood Khan was transporting prisoners for investigation. Terrorists suddenly and indiscriminately opened fire on the vehicle.
The martyred included DSP Asad Mahmood Khan, Inspector Anar Gul Khan, DSP’s driver, DSP’s Reader Wahab Gul, Constable Mudassar and Police Official Syed Amir Abbas, son of Syed Murtaza.
Two prisoners – Yousaf Khan, son of Yaqoob Gul, and Samiullah, son of Muhammad Anwar – also lost their lives in the incident.
Three police officials including Zahoor Khan, Aqab Hussain and Mohib Rehman sustained serious injuries in the fire and were immediately shifted to the hospital.
A heavy contingent of Kohat police was sent to the spot after the attack.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took note of the killing of a DSP and his accompanying staff in firing by terrorists in Kohat and strongly condemned the incident.
The Chief Minister sought a report from the Inspector General of Police on the incident. “The incident is extremely tragic. The sacrifices of the martyrs will not go in vain,” Afridi said.
He said that the KP Police was the first line of defense against terrorism and their sacrifices were unforgettable. “The cowardly acts of terrorists cannot shake the resolve of the police,” he said.
Afridi said the provincial government stood in complete solidarity with the families of the martyrs and equally shared their grief.
The Chief Minister prayed for the ranks of the martyrs and for patience and strength for the bereaved families.
He also directed the authorities to ensure the best possible medical facilities to the injured and prayed for their speedy recovery.
Read: Terrorists target ambulances transporting FC casualties to hospital
Earlier on Monday, three Federal Constabulary (FC) personnel were martyred and several others injured in a series of terrorist attacks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa when a drone strike targeted an FC fort and a subsequent assault set fire to ambulances carrying the injured.
According to police, terrorists belonging to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), described by officials as Fitna al-Khawarij, launched a drone strike on an FC fort near Dargah Shaheedan in the Bahadar Khel area.
As a result of the assault, which took place within the jurisdiction of Khurram Muhammad Zai police station, five persons – Havaldar Sabir, Sepoy Ameen, Sepoy Zohaib, Sepoy Murad and Sepoy Yousaf – were injured.
Karak district police officer Saud Khan said security forces and other law enforcement agencies rushed to the scene immediately after the attack, cordoned off the area and launched a search operation.
“The injured personnel were taken to the hospital when terrorists launched another attack on the ambulances en route,” the DPO said, adding that the attackers set fire to the vehicles with the injured inside.
Three FC personnel were martyred in the assault while five persons, including a Rescue 1122 officer, sustained injuries. The injured rescue personnel were shifted to Khalifa Gul Nawaz Hospital in Bannu for treatment.
