A fierce gun battle in Lakki Marwat's Kot Kashmir area on Wednesday left three terrorists dead, including a key local militant commander, while a police constable embraced martyrdom in the line of duty.
According to a statement issued by Lakki Marwat police spokesperson Shahid Marwat, "In the exchange of fire, three Khawarij, including a key local terrorist, Commander Chhota Waseem Gundi Khankhel, were killed".
The encounter erupted after police received intelligence that a group of militants was moving from Gundi towards Kot Kashmir.
Acting swiftly on directives from Bannu Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan and District Police Officer Jawad Ishaq, the local police, alongside members of the area's peace committee, pursued the suspects.
The militants were intercepted at Kot Kashmir, where they opened fire on the advancing police and volunteers.
A heavy exchange of gunfire ensued. One terrorist was neutralised on the spot, while two others retreated into a nearby house, attempting to use women and children inside as human shields, the statement said.
"However, the police surrounded the house and continued the fight with great skill, which lasted for two hours. At the same time, the police strategically took out the women and children trapped in the house and continued the fight with the terrorists there and killed them," the statement said.
Amid the crossfire, police constable Shahidullah Gundi Khankhel sustained critical injuries. He was rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital but succumbed to his wounds en route.
"Policeman Shahidullah Gundi Khankhel was seriously injured and was sent to the District Headquarters Hospital, where he was embraced martyrdom while succumbing to his injuries on the way," the police statement confirmed.
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