Police repulsed a terrorist attack on their Fateh Khel post on the outskirts of Bannu city, killing three terrorists in a fierce exchange of fire in which one brave policeman laid down his life, police said on Sunday.
Unidentified terrorists launched a fierce attack on the police post late last night using small and heavy weapons. The police responded promptly, engaging in a heavy exchange of fire and neutralising three attackers while injuring several others, they said.
During the intense gunfight, a brave policeman embraced martyrdom, laying down his life in defence of the country, they added. The security forces have launched a search operation in the area to apprehend the remaining militants and eliminate any lingering threats.
The police said that 40 to 50 terrorists attacked the check post, adding that three terrorists were killed in the firefight that lasted more than an hour. Bloodstains and abandoned footwear at the scene suggested that the fleeing terrorists carried away their wounded accomplices, officials at the scene said.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Bannu Range Sajjad Khan and District Police Officer (DPO) Saleem Abbas Kulachi immediately reached the site of the encounter and commended the valour of the police personnel.
"The terrorists had blocked the roads leading to the post, but the police officials reopened the roads and fought with the terrorists," DIG Khan said in a statement. "Police personnel bravely fought the terrorists, who used heavy weapons," he added.
"The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [K-P] Police are a courageous force, standing firm on the frontlines against terrorism," he said. "Our officers know how to respond decisively to the enemy's cowardly attacks. Such actions will not demoralize us. The Bannu Police are ready to make every sacrifice for peace," he added.
DIG Sajjad Khan said that Inspector General (IG) of the K-P Police Zulfiqar Hameed also praised the bravery of the police force and paid rich tributes to the martyred cop. "Martyred Constable Rooh Niaz Khan is our hero. His sacrifice for the nation will never be forgotten."
The funeral prayers for martyred Constable Rooh Niaz Khan were offered at Bannu Police Lines on Sunday morning, which were attended by DIG Khan, DPO Kulachi, relatives, and other police officers. On the occasion, DPO Kulachi said that Bannu police were fully capable of confronting terrorists.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the martyred constable, saying he attained the highest level of martyrdom by sacrificing his life in the line of duty. "The police bravely fought the Indian-sponsored terrorists who attacked at night," he said.
K-P and Balochistan have witnessed an uptick in terrorist attacks in recent months. A report states that militant attacks in July increased by 5% compared to June.
The last month saw a slight increase in militant violence, following a brief decline in the preceding month, the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) said in its monthly report released last week.
The report said that 82 militant attacks were recorded across the country in July, resulting in the death of 101 people, and injuries to 150 others. Among the fatalities, 47 were civilians, 36 security personnel, and 18 militants.
In contrast, the report said that June saw 78 militant attacks, resulting in 100 fatalities and 189 injuries. The July's numbers indicated a 5% increase in the militant attacks compared to the previous month, the report added.
K-P remained the epicentre of such attacks, bearing the brunt of 53 assaults. It was followed by Balochistan with 28 attacks. According to the report, no militant incidents were reported from Punjab, Sindh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), or the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
The report also highlighted intensified counter-militancy operations by the security forces, which resulted in the killing of 106 militants and the arrest of 69 suspected operatives in July.
(WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)
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