Policemen stage rare protest in K-P
As police personnel continue their protests against being deployed for polio campaign duty in the southern districts, one of their peers guarding the vaccination drive was shot dead by 'unknown assailants'.
The incident occurred in Domail on the Bannu-Kohat Road near the Minal Pump Refugee Camp. Unidentified armed motorcyclists opened fire on police officer Noor Alam, a resident of Hathikhel, officials said. Alam was critically injured and died on the spot, while the assailants fled, they added.
Police arrived at the scene, transferred the officer's body to the hospital, and initiated a search operation. During the operation, a confrontation occurred between the attackers and the police, leading to an exchange of fire in which one of the attackers was killed, while another escaped, the officials said.
In protest against the killing of the police officer on polio duty, hundreds of Bannu police personnel staged a sit-in in Maulana Abdul Sattar Shah Bukhari Chowk. They were joined by trade organisations, resulting in a shutter-down strike and the blocking of the Bannu-Miranshah Road.
Through various social media channels, police were told to boycott the campaign and join the protest, prompting many from different areas to gather at the site. Trade body representatives immediately condemned the incident, announcing a shutter-down strike. All shops in the city were closed.
Addressing the protesters, DEDIC Committee Chairman Zahid Ullah Khan, Chamber of Commerce Vice Chairman Nisar Khan Bangash, Traders' Association President Gul Pir Manzoor Shah, and others condemned the incident.
They slammed the failure of authorities in restoring peace and eliminating armed groups, despite the provincial government's assurances of action. They also demanded an end to polio duty for police, saying that the frequent killings of police officers by "unknown assailants" must stop.
They made it clear that no officer would be satisfied with the killing of an "unknown" attacker and demanded that those responsible be named in FIRs. They also warned that any action against the protesting police officers or other government employees would lead further sit-ins.
The funeral prayers of Noor Alam were offered on the road with official honours. The funeral, attended by the Bannu DPO, assistant commissioner, police officers, and a large number of local residents, was initially arranged at the Police Lines.
However, police personnel and the public participating in the protest demanded that the funeral be held on the main road, and the body was brought there for the prayers. During the service, DPO Bannu Ziauddin Ahmed offered his condolences to the martyr's family, paying tribute to the officer.
He asserted that the martyr's sacrifice would not go in vain and vowed that the cowardly terrorist acts would not deter their resolve. He reiterated the commitment to safeguarding Bannu's peace and protecting its people at all costs.
Bajaur police on strike
Following in the footsteps of Lakki Marwat police, cops in Bajaur district also announced a strike and complete boycott of the polio security duty. The decision was taken on Wednesday after a fatal attack on a policeman, who was on polio security duty in Salarzai tehsil of the tribal district.
The attack left the policeman and a polio worker dead. On Thursday, police personnel held a sit-in at the district headquarters in Khar. They issued a five-day ultimatum, warning that they would resign if their demands were not met.
"It is our right to know who targeted and killed our colleague in broad daylight and where the attacker came from," a policeman said.
Earlier, police in Lakki Marwat have also started a strike against attacks om members of the force. The Lakki Marwat sit-in has received support from the police in Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan districts.
JUI-F leader Maulanad Abdur Rashid, Awami National Party leader Gul Afzal, Ubaidullah and others addressed the protesters. They said that lawlessness has exceeded all limits and it was no longer acceptable. They demanded that the government take steps to put an end to terrorism in the region.
'Police united'
About the situation in the southern districts, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa IGP Akhtar Hayat Gandapur told Express News that the military, police, and public were united in the fight against terrorism. "In Lakki Marwat, certain miscreants are trying to create discord between the police and security forces to lower the morale of the personnel," he said.
"From January 2024 to August, 177 terrorists were eliminated in the province, including the tribal areas, through joint operations with the CTD and other forces." The IGP highlighted that security institutions had been battling the menace of terrorism for two decades, with over 2,000 officers and personnel of the police sacrificing their lives.
He emphasised that the same spirit continued today, with the police and other forces thwarting the evil designs of terrorists. "Thanks to the police and military, peace has been established in the province. The armed forces have always supported the police, from training to joint checkpoints, search and strike operations, IBOs [intelligence-based operations], and technical assistance," he said.
He added that there remained a strong professional relationship between the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police, Pakistan Army, and Frontier Corps, which enabled them to effectively tackle all challenges. The IGP stated that they would continue to need the support of military institutions in the future.
Akhtar Hayat Gandapur noted that young recruits in the police and other forces joined in with the spirit of martyrdom and a passion to serve the nation. While dangers were inherent in police Work during turbulent times, he stated, "recruits join in of their own will", driven by a desire to serve the country
"To enhance the police's capacity and ensure their safety in the southern districts, every possible resource has been provided." The IG revealed that this included increasing the force's manpower, with the provincial government recently approving 1,757 new positions. Additionally, 36 vehicles (many armoured for protection), 12 APCs, 100 motorcycles, and seven trucks have been provided to these districts.
"The police are a disciplined organisation, where complaints are conveyed through proper channels, following rules and regulations. Any violation of SOPs is dealt with through disciplinary action. In response to recent complaints from Lakki Marwat, officers from the Central Police Office, in addition to local officials, are aware of the valid concerns and are ready to address them.
Some elements are trying to complicate matters by creating differences between the police and forces, aiming to undermine morale. The police leadership is fully aware of their malicious intentions and, with the cooperation of tribal elders, will thwart these efforts."
*WITH ADDIITONAL INPUT FROM HANIFULLAH IN BAJAUR & OUR CORRESPONDENT IN PESHAWAR