Seven martyred in IED attack on police patrol
Seven police personnel, including a station house officer (SHO), were martyred on Monday when an improvised explosive device (IED) struck a police armoured personnel carrier (APC) near Adam Sawa in the Gomal area of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Tank district, officials said.
The APC was travelling from the Gomal police station to Tank when it was hit by the IED along the route. The blast caused extensive damage to the vehicle, killing all officers on board, according to a statement issued by the Tank police spokesperson.
Those martyred were identified as SHO Ishaq, Sub-Inspector Sher Aslam, driver Abdul Hameed, and constables Arshad Ali, Hazrat Ali and Ehsanullah. However, Tank deputy police chief Pervez Shah said the death toll stood at seven.
"Five police personnel were martyred on the spot after the remote-controlled IED went off, while two others later died in hospital," Shah told Reuters. The bodies of the martyred personnel were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Tank, police said.
Images from the scene showed the mangled wreckage of the APC overturned on the roadside. According to an APP report, the vehicle was on routine patrol when it came under attack. Police sealed off the area and launched a massive security operation.
Later, the funeral prayers for the martyred were offered at the Tank Police Lines with full state honours, attended by the SHS Commander, Tank DPO Shabbir Shah, Deputy Commissioner Tanveer Ahmed and a large number of police officers and personnel.
Senior officers paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the fallen policemen and vowed that their sacrifice would not go in vain, reaffirming the resolve to continue operations against elements threatening peace and security in the region.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of the police personnel, paying tribute to their bravery and sacrifice in the line of duty.
In separate statements, the president lauded the courage, patriotism and sense of duty displayed by the martyred officers, while the prime minister ordered an immediate investigation and directed authorities to bring those responsible to justice at the earliest.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the government's firm resolve to eradicate terrorism from the country, stressing that such attacks would not weaken the state's determination to ensure peace and security nationwide.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the bomb blast, describing it as a cowardly act of terrorism. He paid rich tribute to the martyred officers and extended condolences to their families.
"The brave police officers sacrificed their today for the nation's peaceful tomorrow," the interior minister said, adding that the sacrifices of the martyrs were a source of national pride and would always be remembered.
K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned the attack and honoured the martyred police personnel, including the SHO. He prayed for the elevated ranks of the martyrs and patience for the bereaved families.
"The KP police are confronting terrorists on the front line," the governor said, adding that the sacrifices made for the restoration of peace would not go in vain and would be remembered as acts of exceptional courage.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the incident, extending heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyred officers. She strongly condemned the attack and said such acts could not weaken the state's resolve against terrorism.
In a separate incident, an IED exploded near Dara Tang bridge in Lakki Marwat district. As a result, SHO Saddar Razzaq Khan and two other police personnel sustained injuries. Initial reports suggest the explosive material had been planted near the bridge.
(WITH INPUT FROM AGENCIES)