Four police officers killed in two attacks in Bannu

Unknown motorcyclists opened fire on traffic police personnel in Lakki Marwat, Kaffshi Khel

Four police officers were martyred in two separate shooting incidents within four hours in Bannu, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday. Police said the areas were cordoned off and search operations were launched following the attacks.

According to a spokesperson for Bannu Region Police, unidentified assailants riding motorcycles opened fire on traffic police personnel in Lakki Marwat, killing three officers on duty. The martyred officials were identified as Traffic Police In-charge Naurang Jalal Khan and constables Azizullah and Abdullah. Their bodies were shifted to Naurang Hospital.

IIn a separate incident, police officer Rashid Khan was shot dead by assailants on a motorcycle in the Kaffshi Khel area within the limits of Mandan police station in Bannu.

Read: Five policemen injured as security forces repel terrorist attack in Bannu

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi condemned the attacks, calling the incidents “deeply tragic” and paid tribute to the martyred officers, saying their sacrifices would not go in vain.

He said that “cowardly attacks” would not succeed in advancing the objectives of anti-state elements, adding that police personnel were serving on the frontline in the fight against militancy.

The chief minister said those involved would be brought before the courts and punished in accordance with the law.

Offering condolences to the families of the martyred officers, Afridi said the provincial government stood with the police force and would provide all possible assistance to the bereaved families.