2 cops martyred in Bhakkar suicide blast

Two police officials were martyred and four others injured when a suicide bomber struck a checkpost in Bhakkar district on Tuesday evening, officials confirmed.

Bhakkar District Police Officer (DPO) Shahzad Rafiq said the attack occurred near the Dajil checkpost, where police were conducting a search operation to maintain law and order. According to him, the suicide bomber approached the checkpoint and detonated himself during the operation.

"The suicide attacker came near the check post and blew himself up, while we were conducting a search operation in the area to maintain law and order," DPO Rafiq said.

The blast claimed the lives of policemen Muhammad Faheem and Muhammad Shehbaz, while another officer, Arshad, sustained injuries.

Three passersby were also wounded in the explosion, though their identities have not yet been con-firmed. All injured individuals were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital, the DPO added.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack, expressing deep sorrow over the martyrdom of police personnel in the incident.

In a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office Media Wing, the premier extended his condolences to the families of the martyred officers and prayed for the departed souls. He also prayed for patience and fortitude for the bereaved families during this difficult time.

The prime minister stated that the sacrifices rendered by the police in the war against terrorism would never be allowed to go in vain. He reaffirmed that the government remains resolute in its commitment to completely eradicate terrorism from the country.

Reiterating the state's determination, the prime minister said the fight against terrorism would continue until the menace is fully eliminated and lasting peace is restored.

In a statement, President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the terrorist attack. He expressed grief over the martyrdom of the police officials and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families. The president also prayed for the swift recovery of those injured.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz likewise condemned the assault on the police checkpost, paying tribute to the martyred officers and saluting their sacrifice in the line of duty.

She extended heartfelt sympathies to the families of the deceased and directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured policeman and other wounded individuals.

The attack comes on the same day that six law enforcement personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police, were martyred in a separate terrorist assault on a police vehicle in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Kohat district.

The Dajil checkpost is located along the border between Dera Ismail Khan and Bhakkar, an area that has witnessed heightened security concerns in recent years.