Three bombers killed as forces stave off terror attack

Terrorists planned to target Police Line in Loralai

QUETTA: Three suicide bombers were killed as security forces repulsed a terrorist attack on Police Line in Loralai district of Balochistan on Wednesday.

One policeman also embraced martyrdom while five others – including two constables and a woman – were also injured in the abortive attack.

Three terrorists wearing suicide vests attacked the Police Line, but timely action by security forces staved off the terror bid, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

A heavy contingent of Frontier Corps, along with the Quick Response Force (QRF) of police, reached the spot while the area was cordoned off.

“One attacker was shot dead at the entry gate, while two others managed to enter the Police Line. During [the ensuing] exchange of fire, one suicide bomber exploded his explosives vest while the third was shot dead by forces,” the ISPR said.

The martyred Police Head Constable has been identified as Allah Nawaz. The injured have been evacuated to the District Headquarters Hospital for treatment.

Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan strongly condemned the attack and expressed his grief over the loss of the policeman’s life and injuries to five others.

“The brave policemen confronted the terrorists and didn’t allow them to enter the Police Line which shows that our forces are ready to foil the enemy’s cowardly attacks,” he said in a statement and vowed to continue the ongoing decisive action against terrorists.

The chief minister lauded the sacrifices of security forces in maintaining peace in the province and directed authorities to ensure quality treatment for the injured.

Home Minister Meer Zia Langove and provincial government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani also denounced the attack and lauded the timely response of the security forces.

The outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack on its website.

Loralai has been wrecked by violence since January 2019 as more than dozen people have been killed in firing and bomb attacks in the city.

On January 29, three suicide bombers stormed a senior police officer’s compound while a recruitment process was under way. Nine people, including three policemen, were killed in the attack.