Investigators find vehicle parts; over 1,000 kg of explosives obliterated the police checkpoint
Rescue and search operations continue after terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the Fateh Khel police check post in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district late Saturday night, martyring 12 policemen. PHOTO: EXPRESS
In a major breakthrough in the investigation into the deadly suicide attack on a Fatah Khel police checkpoint in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, authorities have revealed that the attackers used a cargo rickshaw packed with explosives.
According to Bomb Disposal Squad officials, preliminary findings indicate that the vehicle contained between 1,000 and 1,500 kg of high explosive material, making the explosion unusually powerful. The police checkpoint was completely obliterated during the attack.
Sources confirmed that various parts of the loader rickshaw, along with other crucial evidence, have been recovered from the spot and taken into custody for forensic analysis. Following the blast, security has been further tightened in the area and law enforcement agencies have expanded their investigation to track down those involved in planning and facilitating the attack.
Read: 15 policemen martyred, three injured in Bannu suicide attack on check post
Senior police officers and bomb disposal squads are carefully investigating all aspects of the incident. Authorities said modern technical and intelligence resources are being used to identify and arrest the facilitators and masterminds behind the attack.
Meanwhile, high alert has been declared in Bannu and surrounding areas following the Fatah Khel suicide attack. Surveillance and security measures have been significantly enhanced at sensitive locations, police stations and security checkpoints.
On the other hand, Superintendent of Police Zulfiqar Hameed paid an urgent visit to Bannu district on Sunday where he met senior police officers and frontline personnel.
The IGP called for a complete report on the night’s terror attack and was briefed on the ongoing investigation and the overall security situation. He was accompanied by Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah and the Additional IG CTD.
The provincial police chief met individually with field officers and constables, which boosted their morale. Addressing the officers and staff on the occasion, KP IGP said Bannu Police has always played a frontline role in the war against terrorism and rendered invaluable sacrifices.
“Whether it is eradication of crime or operations against terrorists, Bannu police has always achieved successes,” he said. He further added, “Now that terrorists, unable to meet the courage and bravery of the police, have resorted to cowardly tactics, we will also keep our preparations complete to bring them to their logical conclusion.”
The provincial police chief declared: “Every drop of blood of the police martyrs will be avenged and generations of terrorists will remember our response.”
A special Fatiha was offered to the martyrs and a pledge was reaffirmed that every officer of the KP Police will remain the protector of the earth and the guarantor of public life and property till his last drop of blood.
Later, the IGP and Chief Secretary chaired a high-level meeting to review all details of the incident and examine suggestions for future strategy. They issued directives to senior officers to further enhance human intelligence, conduct a new security audit of police infrastructure, especially police stations and check posts, and make them impregnable.
