Cop on polio duty martyred in Hangu
According to Express News, the bodies were found near the Mai Kolachi Road Phatak. PHOTO: PEXELS
A police officer was martyred and four others injured on Monday when gunmen opened fire on personnel deployed to protect polio vaccination teams in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Hangu, police confirmed to The Express Tribune.
According to police spokesperson Saqib Bangash, the attack occurred near Chapri Waziran within the jurisdiction of Thall Police Station. The martyred officer was identified as Israrul Haq, a resident of Shangla, who was undergoing an intermediate-level Police Training Course (PTC).
Kohat Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Irfan Tariq said police responded swiftly and engaged the attackers in a retaliatory operation, claiming two attackers were killed. However, other assailants managed to flee.
A search operation is underway in the area, and action will be taken against those involved, the DIG added. He commended the personnel for their bravery in repelling the attack, vowing that the militants would not be spared under any circumstances.
The injured personnel were shifted to a hospital in Hangu, where they are receiving treatment.
The funeral prayer for Haq was offered with full state honours at the Police Training College in Hangu.
K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi strongly condemned the attack and sought a report from the DIG.