Cop killed in 'targeted' attack

BATTAGRAM:

An on-duty police constable posted at DHQ Hospital Battagram was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Wednesday. The slain officer, Niaz Muhammad, belonged to Shimlai and sustained five bullet wounds.

Police have registered a case against unknown perpetrators and launched an investigation. The incident is being treated as a targeted killing. "We have no enmity with anyone," the victim's father stated.

Police findings suggested that around 5am on Wednesday, an unknown individual knocked at the main gate of the DHQ Hospital. As Constable Niaz Muhammad opened the door, the armed man opened indiscriminate fire, leaving him critically injured.

Showing remarkable courage, the wounded constable managed to reach the emergency ward himself, where he recorded his statement with the duty doctor. After administering first aid, the doctor referred him to Abbottabad. However, he succumbed to his injuries on the way.

Following the post-mortem, funeral prayers were offered at the Police Lines, attended by senior police officers and a large number of political, social, religious and business representatives.

Battagram District Police Officer Ayaz Khan described the incident as tragic but expressed confidence that the culprits would soon be arrested.

The victim's father, himself a police employee, said they had no disputes with anyone, calling the attack a cowardly act but expressing hope for swift justice.

It is worth noting that this is the third killing of a police officer in the past two years. The incident has not only caused widespread fear among the public, but police personnel themselves now feel increasingly unsafe.