Dozens of militants attack Peshawar checkpoint

Five attackers killed in retaliation; no police official hurt.

PESHAWAR:

At least five militants were killed in a clash with the police at a check-post on the outskirts of Peshawar during the early hours of Wednesday, the police said, in an incident which follows similar militant raids in the volatile area.

Police officials said the clash took place at around 2:30 am, when a band of armed militants mounted an attack on a police check-post in the limits of Sarband Police Station, close to the Khyber Agency border.

Superintendent Police City Circle Imtiaz Shah told reporters that around 60 to 65 militants took part in the predawn raid. “The militants came in two groups of assault and sniper. While the assault party marched on the police post, the snipers gave them fire cover,” Shah said.

He said that police personnel responded to the attack as a result of which five militants were killed, while the others managed to escape in the cover of darkness. Shah added that investigations were ongoing; however the attackers’ identity could not be ascertained. The officials further said that no police personnel was injured or killed in the attack. They added that two Kalashnikovs and a hand grenade were recovered from the possession of the killed militants.

When asked why only two rifles were recovered from the possession of five attackers, the officials could not provide a satisfactory answer.

Two checkpoints, which fall in the limits of Sarband Police Station, have come under attack by militants several times during the past few weeks and the police usually accuse Bara-based militant outfit Lashkar-e-Islam for the attacks.  However, on Wednesday, the officials avoided linking the outfit with the fresh attack.

Meanwhile, a planted bomb killed two and injured three Khasadar personnel in the Jamrud tehsil of Khyber Agency, sources said.

The militants intended to plant the bomb during the night to minimise casualties, according to sources. The incident took place on the main bypass near Khasadar check-post.

“A non commissioned officer of Levies force Iran Shah was killed in the blast whereas his nephew who is also a part of the force was injured,” the sources said.

The injured personnel were rushed to the Hayatabad Medical Complex where Wazir Zada, nephew of Shah, succumbed to his injuries.

A cheque worth Rs100, 000 was given to the family members of the slain personnel by Assistant Political Agent Khalid Kundi.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd,  2011.