DERA ISMAIL KHAN/LAKKI MARWAT (MNN); Six police personnel were martyred on Monday when their armoured vehicle was targeted in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Tank district, while a separate blast in Lakki Marwat injured three more policemen.
According to a statement issued by the Tank police spokesperson, the blast hit an armoured personnel carrier (APC) within the jurisdiction of Gomal police station. The vehicle was travelling from the Gomal police station towards Tank when it was targeted. An additional station house officer (SHO) was among those martyred.
Rescue 1122 shifted the bodies of the martyrs to the Tank District Headquarters Hospital. Police cordoned off the area and launched a massive security operation.
In a separate incident, an IED explosion occurred near Darra Tang Road in Lakki Marwat, injuring three police personnel. A police statement said a SHO and other officials sustained minor injuries and were out of danger. The attack took place while police were patrolling near Jabar Khel in the Saddar police station area. The attackers were identified as Fitna al Khwarij, the term used by the state for terrorists linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Lakki Marwat District Police Officer Nazir Khan visited the site and reviewed the situation. A search operation was launched in the surrounding area. He said such cowardly attacks could not weaken police morale, adding that the police were fully prepared to make any sacrifice to protect the public. Security in the area has been further tightened.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate investigation into the Tank attack and directed authorities to bring those responsible to justice. He reiterated the government’s resolve to completely eliminate terrorism from the country.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of the police personnel and paid tribute to their bravery and dedication. He prayed for the martyrs’ elevated ranks and patience for their families.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi sought an urgent report from senior police officials and expressed grief and anger over the incident. He said the KP police laid down their lives to protect citizens and asserted that Indian-backed Fitna al Khwarij could not demoralise the nation. He urged the provincial government to take concrete steps to restore peace.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack and praised the sacrifices of the police, saying their bravery would always be remembered. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also expressed sorrow over the martyrdom of six policemen and said the nation stood firmly with its security forces against terrorism.
