Nine terrorists killed in K-P's Hangu, police say
PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Nine terrorists were killed during a security operation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's (K-P) Hangu on Saturday, local police said. A joint operation was carried out by police and other law enforcement agencies after receiving intelligence about terrorists present in the area, Express News reported.
A fierce exchange of gunfire took place, during which Hangu District Police Officer (DPO) Mohammad Khalid Khan and Doaba SHO Nabi Khan were injured, along with one officer from the security forces.
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DPO was reported to be in stable condition. He was initially moved to Kohat and is expected to be airlifted to Peshawar. Regional Police Officer (RPO) Kohat Abbas Majid Marwat accompanied him. K-P Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed contacted the injured officers to inquire after their health.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held a telephonic conversation with DPO, who was injured during an operation against the Indian-sponsored proxy “Fitna Al-Hindustan.” He inquired about his condition and commended his bravery and leadership.
Spoke to brave DPO Muhammad Khalid, who was injured during the successful operation against the Fitna-e-Hind in Hangu. I deeply admire his courage and leadership. Under his command, 9 terrorists were eliminated. Praying for his and SHO Nabi Khan’s swift recovery. Pakistan is…
“Under your command, the police team displayed immense courage and eliminated five terrorists of Fitna Al-Hindustan,” he said. He lauded the entire Hangu police team for their successful operation and described their action as a significant blow to terrorism.
Read more: FO reaffirms zero tolerance for terrorism
Naqvi also offered prayers for the swift recovery of DPO and SHO, who was also injured in the operation. “You are the pride of the nation. We are proud of you,” he added.
In a statement, President Asif Ali Zardari commended the security forces for effectively engaging and nuetralising the Fitna Al-Hindustan terrorists. He also prayed for the swift recovery of injured DPO and SHO, the President's Secretariat Press Wing said.
The president said that terrorists wanted to sabotage peace and stability which could not be allowed, adding the nation was united and the scourge of terrorism would be defeated at all costs. He further reiterated the resolve that the state would continue its efforts with full force to root out terrorism.
K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur lauded DPO Khalid Khan and his team for a successful counter-terrorism operation, saying the chief minister "salutes Khan and his team for their bravery."
Gandapur noted that DPO Khan personally confronted the terrorists on the front line and, along with his team, foiled the militants’ designs with exceptional courage and determination. "We are proud of such brave and fearless police officers and personnel," he said.
He added that the history of K-P Police is filled with stories of valor and sacrifice, and reaffirmed that the entire nation stands with the security forces in the fight against terrorism.