A paramilitary soldier receives medical attention in an ambulance in Chaman. Photo: Reuters
QUETTA/PESHAWAR:
A fresh wave of terrorism hit parts of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Wednesday, leaving seven security personnel martyred and several others injured in separate gun attacks, while security forces killed three terrorists during an operation in Lakki Marwat.
In Balochistan’s Chaman, three security personnel were martyred and another injured when terrorists opened fire on their vehicle in Roghani area on the outskirts of the border town. Police said the officers were on routine patrol when they were ambushed.
The attackers fled immediately after the assault while the bodies and the injured official were shifted to Chaman Civil Hospital. Authorities confirmed the injured official was in stable condition.
Law enforcement personnel cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to track down those responsible. Officials noted that similar attacks have previously targeted security forces in and around Chaman.
In a separate incident in Bajaur district, four KP policemen were martyred and two others injured when gunmen attacked an Ababeel police patrol in Nawa Kalay area of Khar tehsil.
According to the police, the team was on routine security patrol at the time of Iftar when terrorists launched a sudden assault. Station House Officer (SHO) Gul Zada said the policemen came under intense fire, resulting in four deaths on the spot.
He added that the two injured officials were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Khar for treatment. Security has since been tightened in the area and a manhunt is underway to apprehend the attackers.
In Lakki Marwat district of KP, security forces engaged terrorists in Zariwal Sarband area and killed at least three during a gunfight. Officials said one of those killed was Shakir, a commander of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and a resident of Tajazai.
Sources said Shakir was wanted by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in five cases, including facilitating suicide attacks. Authorities described the encounter as part of an ongoing operation against terrorism in the region, adding that further investigations are underway.
“Security forces responded effectively and eliminated key militant elements during the operation,” an official said, stressing continued efforts to contain the menace that has rocked the province.
(With inputs from our DERA ISMAIL KHAN CORRESPONDENT)
