The extraordinary bravery of the Lakki police saves dozens; leaders promise to eliminate terror
DERA ISMAIL KHAN:
A police chief killed himself on Monday while helping prevent a suicide attack in Lakki Marwat district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), averting a potential tragedy and saving many civilians, district police officer Nazir Khan said.
Khan said the police had received credible intelligence that two suspicious motorcyclists from Bettani sub-division were approaching Bakmal Ahmadzai where a public gathering might have been their target. Acting swiftly, the authorities put all units on high alert while the Tajori police set up a check post at Kattu Khel.
During the action, the two motorcyclists were signaled to stop, but tried to escape.
Police immediately pursued the suspects, with one attacker pulling a gun and opening fire before detonating himself. Head Constable Alauddin was martyred in the blast and five other policemen sustained injuries.
DPO Nazir Khan confirmed that a search operation was underway, the area had been completely sealed and investigation teams were collecting evidence. Lauding the fallen officer, he said that the Lakki Marwat police showed extraordinary bravery in averting a major terror attack in time. “The police force remains fully prepared to protect the public in any situation and the malicious designs of the terrorists will never succeed,” he added.
Deputy Inspector General Sajjad Khan of Bannu Range lauded the courage of the police team and said that Lakki Marwat officers are consistently providing maximum protection to citizens despite persistent threats.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack as a brutal attack on innocent citizens, prayed for the martyred officer and directed the authorities to provide immediate medical attention to the injured. He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate terrorists, calling militants targeting the police and civilians enemies of the state, who would be confronted with full force.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the suicide attack, condoled with the fallen policeman’s family and praised the KP police for their “matchless sacrifices”. He said cowardly attacks by Khawarij elements would not weaken public or institutional resolve, underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to eradicate militancy and protect frontline security personnel.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi described the bombing as a cowardly attempt to undermine peace in the province. He paid tribute to the martyred officer, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and highlighted the continued courage of the police in confronting serious threats. “Such attacks will neither weaken morale nor deter our broader drive to restore lasting peace in KP and adjacent regions,” he said.
(With input from APP)
