Two policemen were martyred, several others were injured in suicide attack on Bhakkar check post

Two policemen were martyred and several others were injured after a suicide attack targeted an inter-provincial check post in Dajal area of ​​Punjab’s Bhakkar on Tuesday evening.

District Police Officer (DPO) Bhakkar Shehzad Rafiq Awan confirmed the incident and said security forces immediately cordoned off the area in Saddar jurisdiction and launched a search operation.

He said the explosion took place around 18.54, when a suicide bomber detonated explosives near the checkpoint while the officers were carrying out routine duties.

He added that constables Faheem Abbas and Shahbaz Madni were critically injured in the blast and succumbed to their injuries later. Another police personnel, Arshad, was also injured and shifted to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Bhakkar for treatment.

Rafiq added that three civilians were also injured in the attack. They were identified as Ajab Ali and Zubair, both serving as polio workers, and Mohammad Hasnain, a driver of a private high-speed vehicle. All the injured were admitted to DHQ Hospital, where they received medical attention.

The DPO said the Bomb Disposal Squad and other investigative agencies were gathering evidence and a comprehensive investigation had been launched to bring those responsible to justice.

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He added that funeral prayers for the martyred officials would be offered with official honours, describing the police force as a “strong shield against terrorism”.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack on the police check post on the outskirts of Bhakkar and hailed the constables for sacrificing their lives in the line of duty.

She praised their courage and commitment to protecting citizens, expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for strength and patience to bear the loss.

The Chief Minister also directed the authorities concerned to ensure the best possible medical treatment to the injured constable, polio workers and the passerby who were injured in the incident.

President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the terrorist attack and expressed deep grief over the death of the police personnel.

He condoled with the families of the martyrs and prayed for patience and resilience for them while conveying his best wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured.

“We will never let the sacrifices of the police in the war against terrorism go in vain. The government is determined to completely eradicate terrorism from the country,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in his message.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi similarly condemned the attack, paid tribute to the martyred officers and condoled with their families.

He said the policemen had “achieved the highest rank of martyrdom in the line of duty” and their sacrifice would always be remembered.

Punjab Inspector General of Punjab Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem said the constables had made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the country. He expressed deep sympathy with the bereaved families and directed that the injured officer receive the best possible medical attention.

“Punjab Police will not leave the martyrs’ families alone and their welfare remains our top priority. Every officer of the Punjab Police stands as a shield against terrorism,” the IGP said.