Police convoy ambushed in Hangu
A police convoy came under attack in Hangu district on Sunday, leaving three policemen, including the station house officer (SHO), injured.
Separately, blasts allegedly triggered by a short circuit in a police station in Peshawar resulted in the death of a police officer.
Official sources said a convoy, carrying SP Investigation Abdul Samad, DSP Tall Mujahid, and SHO Imran Uddin, was returning from Karbogha after attending a meeting with a peace committee when it was ambushed through an improvised explosive device (IED) on Doaba-Karbogha Road in Hangu.
According to SP Abdul Samad, the blast caused injuries to SHO Imran Uddin, Constable Abid, and Constable Jihad. The injured were immediately shifted to Doaba Hospital for treatment amid firing by terrorists. Police sources said an exchange of fire between the attackers and security forces was ongoing till the filing of the report.
Meanwhile, a fire broke out after explosions at a Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) police station in Peshawar resulting in the martyrdom of one policeman. Two other police personnel also sustained wounds. The incident occurred at the CTD office near Christian cemetery on University Road.
Speaking to the media, CCPO Peshawar Dr Mian Saeed said the fire was caused by a short circuit.
According to the official, explosive materials were stored in the courtyard of the station which caught fire and triggered multiple blasts, destroying part of the building. "CTD officer Bilal Durani was martyred, while two others were injured in the blasts," he said.
Rescue and police teams arrived promptly at the scene and began relief operations. The blasts, however, caused severe damage to the building. Rescuers later managed to extinguish the fire, but most of the station's records and equipment were destroyed.
The CCPO said detainees at the station had been moved to another police station, and an inquiry had been launched from multiple angles. "K-P IGP Zulfiqar Hameed has ordered a formal investigation, directing officials to submit a report within five days," he added.
Later, funeral prayer of the martyred CTD officer, Bilal Khan, was held at Malik Saad Shaheed Police Lines with full state honours.
The ceremony was attended by K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, IGP Zulfiqar Hameed, CTD Additional IG Jawad Qamar, CCPO Dr Mian Saeed Ahmed, officers from the Pakistan Army, police personnel and family members of the martyr.
A smartly turned-out police contingent presented a guard of honour, while the governor, police, and army officials laid floral wreaths on the coffin. They offered prayers for the martyr's exalted rank and strength for his bereaved family.