Three cops martyred as police foil terrorist attack in Lower Dir: K-P police chief

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed on Thursday said three police officials were martyred and several were injured as the force thwarted a “severe three-pronged terrorist attack” in Lower Dir a day earlier.

"At least three cops were martyred, and several others were injured during the terrorist attack that occurred during a combing operation in the area. This was an extensive search and strike operation of police, wherein special teams searched and cleared three valleys,” said Hameed while addressing a press conference in the Lower Dir District Police Office.

Sharing the details of the operation, Hameed said that the terrorists suffered heavy losses during a “search and strike” combing operation.

"Special teams had inflicted heavy losses on the terrorists, as indicated by eyewitness accounts and photographic evidence available to the police," said Hameed.

The IGP added that he was proud of the teams for fighting courageously and repelling the three-pronged attack despite being outnumbered.

“The district police officer, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) superintendent of police and others extracted the police party ambushed by terrorists,” he said.

Hameed further added that the condition of the injured personnel was improving, and most officers were expected to be discharged soon from the hospital.

Read: Six most wanted terrorists killed in Lower Dir joint operation: CTD

The IGP reiterated the resolve to uproot terrorism, saying, “The war that is being waged against us and is injuring and martyring our people will not affect the determination of the police or other security institutions, and we will continue to protect areas under our jurisdiction.”

“Those trying to pose a threat to us will be neutralised,” the police chief warned during the presser.

To address the threat of terrorism in the region, he said, a meeting would be convened to strategise the complete restoration of peace, and all resources would be directed towards the cause.

Hameed rebuked claims of a weakened writ of government in most areas of the province.

Outlining the measures undertaken to enhance police capacity, he said that the measures were underway to enhance the operational capacity of the police force.

He said more than Rs70 million were earmarked in the budget for the procurement of modern equipment for police, apart from other “substantial” allocations.

Also Read: Two policemen killed, two injured in suspected IED attack in K-P's Tank

The IGP warned that hostile elements disseminate a false narrative to instil discontent and fear among people.

“They [terrorists] should know that we will not be driven by fear. This is our province, and we will not let peace be marred in this region,” he said.

The police chief highlighted that the police and other security institutions never back down from offering sacrifices to uphold peace, reminding that a year ago, the threat from hostile elements was quashed, and history would repeat itself once again.

Speaking on the issue of extortion, Hameed said special cells had been established to stop the menace, saying that cooperation was being sought from the foreign office to trace extortion calls originating from abroad.