Early Sunday, terrorists rammed a vehicle loaded with explosives into the Fateh Khel police check post in Bannu
Bannu police repel a militant attack on the Fatah Khel police checkpoint early Monday morning PHOTO: EXPRESS
MIRANSHAH:
The number of policemen martyred in a brazen attack on a Bannu police check post rose to 15 on Sunday as a banned outfit, Ittehad Mujahideen Pakistan, belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij claimed responsibility.
On the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, terrorists rammed a vehicle loaded with explosives into the Fateh Khel police check post in Bannu, triggering a massive explosion that completely reduced the structure to rubble.
According to police, terrorists opened intense fire from multiple directions after the blast, leading to hours of heavy gunfire, further explosions and widespread panic in the area.
Bannu Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sajjad Khan said a total of 18 policemen were present at the checkpoint at the time of the attack.
“Of them, 15 embraced martyrdom on the spot while three sustained serious injuries,” he said.
Police identified the martyred personnel as Rehmat Ayaz, Sanaullah, Niaz Ali, Sohaib, Saadullah, Kamran, Naimatullah, Abid Jani, Imran, Naeemullah, Sadiqullah, Mir Alam Khan, Rahatullah Khan and Farooq Dad. The injured were identified as Feroz, Hayatullah and Fidaullah.
The explosion also caused extensive damage to nearby residential buildings and structures.
Following the incident, emergency situations were declared in all three major hospitals in Bannu, while rescue teams 1122 rushed to the spot and shifted the injured and the deceased to hospitals.
Security forces cordoned off the entire area and launched a search operation, while lightning checks at the city’s entry and exit points were intensified.
Sources said contact with the Fateh Khel check post was briefly lost after the attack but was later restored as security forces gained control of the situation. Later, funeral prayers for the martyred policemen were offered with full state honors at Police Lines Bannu.
The ceremony was attended by DIG Bannu Region Sajjad Khan, DPO Bannu Yasar Afridi, DPO Lakki Marwat Nazir Khan, SP CTD Fazal Wahid, SP Headquarters Mahmood Nawaz, SP City Tauheed Khan, SP Rural Haider Khan, senior police officials, staff of the martyrs and a large number of relatives.
The martyrs were laid to rest with full official honors amid chants of “Shaheed zinda hain””
The Fateh Khel checkpoint has been the target of more than 40 attacks in recent months.
However, the latest attack is being described as the deadliest in terms of intensity and casualties.
President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday paid tribute to the police personnel who were martyred in the terror attack and expressed condolences to the families of the martyrs, according to a press release.
Zardari also expressed grief over the damage caused to the homes of the local residents in the incident and directed both the provincial and federal governments to ensure all possible assistance to the injured and affected families.
He reiterated that the sinister designs of the terrorists would be defeated. The nation stood shoulder to shoulder with its security forces.
The President further said that at a time when Pakistan was striving for regional and global peace, terrorist groups supported by India and operating from safe havens under the Taliban regime were targeting Pakistan’s civilian population and law enforcement agencies.
Minister Shehbaz Sharif also called KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and condemned the terrorist attack on a police post in Bannu. He expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of precious lives in the incident.
He prayed for a higher status in heaven for the police personnel martyred in the attack and expressed condolences to their families and also prayed for speedy recovery of those injured in the incident.
He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to partner with the provincial governments to eradicate terrorism, adding that all possible support would be extended to the provincial government in the fight against terrorism.
The KP CM in a statement strongly condemned the terrorist attack and expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of life in the attack and directed the authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment to the injured.
Seven terrorists killed in North Waziristan
Meanwhile, security forces neutralized seven more terrorists including two key commanders in a large-scale search and clearance operation in Tehsil Shewa and adjoining areas of North Waziristan.
According to sources, several terrorist hideouts were destroyed during an ongoing operation that entered its third day on Sunday.
In Drazinda area of Tehsil Shewa, Alam Khel market was almost completely demolished during intense action while a mosque in the market was also destroyed after explosives were planted. Local sources claimed that these places were allegedly used by terrorists as shelters and for movement.
In Anar Khel area, a suspected terrorist hideout and a residential house were also blown up using explosive material. Sources said that during the operation, the security forces took control of several important buildings and government installations, including the Governor Model School, which was allegedly used by militants.
Sources further stated that house-to-house search operations are underway in Drazinda and surrounding areas, while additional forces have been deployed across several locations. Security personnel conducted raids at several suspected locations and recovered arms and other materials.
Reports indicate that terrorists have suffered heavy losses so far; those killed were allegedly involved in attacks on security forces, police and in targeted killings.
According to sources, operations have also been launched against terrorist hideouts in the Sakhni area, where intermittent firing and explosions continued to be heard.
A continuous curfew has been imposed in the affected areas, seriously disrupting daily life and causing considerable hardship to residents. Locals reported that many families have moved to safer places while business activities have come to a complete halt.
However, security sources maintained that the objective of the operation is to completely clear the area of militant elements and restore law and order.
Several terrorist hideouts were destroyed during the ongoing operation in North Waziristan
