Targeted? Cop killed, two injured in roadside blast

PESHAWAR:

A policeman was killed while two others – a civilian and a police official – were injured in a roadside blast in Badhu Samar Bagh in the city on Thursday.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, SSP Operations Abbas Majeed Marwat said initial reports revealed a remote detonator had been used to detonate the device. Faqirabad ASP Waseem Riaz said two policemen were patrolling the area on foot when the device went off.

“A policeman was killed,” he said. “Another policeman [and a civilian] were injured.” he said. Around 500 to 750 grammes of explosives used in attack.

The injured were shifted to Lady Reading Hospital (LRH).

The deceased was identified as Saeed, a police constable who hails from Mathra, while the injured civilian was identified as Ihsanullah. Another policeman sustained minor injuries. Police reached the area and started a search and strike operation. At least four people were arrested in the crackdown.

A day earlier, a police official was gunned down in Lakki Marwat on Tuesday. This is the second police official to be shot in the district this week.  According to police, Khurshid Afzal was on his way to his Gorka Dilasa Shah village when unidentified motorcyclists opened fire at him. He died on the spot.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8^th,  2016.