DERA ISMAIL KHAN:
At least four policemen were martyred after terrorists rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the Fateh Khel police checkpost in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district late on Saturday evening, triggering a massive blast that completely destroyed the post and left several personnel feared trapped under the debris.
According to initial reports, terrorists belonging to the outlawed Khawarij network carried out suicide-like attacks by detonating a vehicle loaded with explosives at the checkpoint.
The blast was so powerful that its sound was heard across distant areas, while the blast also caused extensive damage to nearby civilian homes and structures.
Rescue operations continued due to fears that more personnel remained buried under the rubble.
Meanwhile, security forces engaged terrorists in an ongoing gun battle in the area.
Hospital sources identified the martyred policemen as Rehmat Ayaz, driver Sohaib and constable Niaz Ali, while the injured included Feroz and Hayatullah.
Eyewitnesses said the police checkpoint was completely destroyed in the blast, with several officers trapped under the collapsed structure.
Moreover, the roofs of several nearby houses also collapsed due to the intensity of the explosion.
Police sources said the bodies of 10 policemen had been recovered from the check post and were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Bannu.
However, official confirmation of the total number of casualties was still awaited till the filing of this report.
Authorities said rescue operations were severely hampered by darkness and the continued threat of terrorist ambushes targeting incoming police and rescue teams.
Security officials feared terrorists could launch follow-up attacks on responders participating in the relief effort.
Soon after the attack, heavy contingents of police and security forces cordoned off the area and launched a clearance operation.
According to the latest reports, an intense exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists was still going on.
Meanwhile, authorities denied reports circulating on social media claiming that Bannu Cantonment had been hit by a suicide attack, clarifying that the attack specifically targeted the Fateh Khel police station.
