Terror attack at Mianwali police station foiled

The Punjab police foiled a terror attack at the Makarwal police station in Mianwali on Tuesday night, forcing terrorists to flee.

According to police officials, 20 to 25 armed assailants attacked the police station but were met with police personnel, the counter-terrorism department (CTD) and other forces who fought gallantly and forced the terror elements to leave.

Immediately after the attack, District Police Officer (DPO) Mianwali Muhammad Naveed reached the police station with more personnel.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Dr Usman Anwar contacted the Station House Officer (SHO) and congratulated him for their bravery and duty.

The IGP Punjab said that the terrorist elements should be brought to justice and that the CTD, Elite Force and Special Branch should provide full support to the Mianwali Police in this operation.

Read PM Shehbaz calls for unity against 'anti-Pakistani elements'

DPO Naveed stated that all the policemen were safe following the attack. He added that a few terrorists were injured after retaliatory firing by the police, but their comrades fled towards the mountains taking the injured with them.

After the attack, the police cordoned off the area and started a search operation to arrest the terrorists.

Meanwhile, IGP Anwar formed a four-member special team in view of the Mianwali attack, which included Additional IGs Training, a Special Branch, Operations and a Deputy Inspector General (IT).

The committee along with RPO Sargodha will plan search and combing operations to pursue the terrorists. The IG Punjab also directed speedy search operations in Mianwali, especially near the Makarwal police station and its adjoining areas.

Anwar reiterated that a thorough search operation should be conducted in Mianwali with other law enforcement agencies, and terrorist elements and their facilitators should be brought to justice with zero tolerance.

The Express News detailed that the area of Isa Khel is adjacent to the border of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and K-P begins at a distance of 10 to 15 kilometres from Makarwal police station.

PM announces awards

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that the entire nation and institutions are united to eliminate the menace of terrorism.

In a statement, he was appreciative of the Punjab police for thwarting a terrorist attack on Makerwal police station in Mianwali and announced to give awards and certificates of appreciation to the police officers who demonstrated extraordinary courage.

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He said "the police are our front-line force in the fight against terrorism. The whole nation is proud of the role and contribution of the Punjab Police and CTD in the war against this menace."

The premier assured that police and the CTD will be further strengthened and equipped with modern weapons.

The attack comes during an uptick in terror incidents across the nation, targeting law enforcement agencies. Recently, at least 100 people, many of them policemen, were martyred after a suicide bomber blew himself up at a mosque in Peshawar’s Police Lines during the afternoon prayers on Monday, police and medics said.

Officials confirmed that it was a suicide attack and that the bomber was standing in the front row at the time of the explosion.

Peshawar Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Muhammad Ijaz Khan said the bomber detonated his load at the moment hundreds of people had lined up for prayers.

(With additional input from Radion Pakistan)