Two FBR officials killed in DI Khan

Five people, including three government officials, were killed and two others injured in two separate firing incidents in Dera Ismail Khan on Tuesday, with unidentified armed attackers targeting Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials and a highway police vehicle.

According to DI Khan District Police Officer Ziauddin Ahmed, four people, including two FBR officials, were killed when unidentified armed motorcyclists opened fire near Bhatti Pump on DI Khan's University Road, within the jurisdiction of University Police Station, at around 11:40am.

According to an FBR statement, three officials of its Enforcement Squad, Sepoy Izharullah, Guard Rahmatullah, and Sepoy Sulaiman were performing duty at the designated point when unidentified armed persons arrived at the location and opened fire upon them.

As a result of the firing, Guard Rahmatullah and Sepoy Sulaiman embraced martyrdom. Sepoy Izharullah returned fire during the incident, following which the assailants fled the scene.

The attackers also took away official arms and ammunition issued to the squad personnel. Rescue 1122 personnel later shifted the bodies of the four victims to the District Headquarters Hospital.

In a separate attack, unidentified armed men targeted a highway police mobile vehicle near Gulistan Chowk on the bypass. The firing left the vehicle's driver, Highway Traffic Police Constable Habib, dead, while mobile incharge Subhan and another constable sustained injuries.

The injured officials and the body of the martyred policeman were shifted to the Trauma Centre for treatment and medico-legal formalities.

Later, the funeral prayers of Constable Habib and FBR officials Rehmatullah and Suleman were offered at the city's Aijaz Shaheed Police Lines with full official honours.

MNA Faisal Amin Khan Gandapur, Division Commissioner Dawar Khan, Station Commander Brigadier Salman Adil Shah, Regional Police Officer Dera Ghulam Mubashir Maken, DPO Ziauddin Ahmed, FBR officials, political and social figures, and senior police and security officials attended the funeral prayers.

A smartly turned-out police contingent presented a guard of honour to the martyrs. The participants laid floral wreaths on the coffins and prayed for the elevation of the martyrs' ranks, forgiveness for the deceased and patience for their bereaved families.

Senior officials also met the families of the victims and expressed their condolences. They assured the bereaved families that the sacrifices of the martyrs were a matter of pride for the state and nation and that their blood would not go in vain.

Later, in a statement, the FBR expressed deep grief over the tragic killing of its two officials

FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyred officials and paid homage to their courage and commitment. He said the sacrifices rendered by FBR personnel in the line of duty will not be forgotten.

"The FBR stands firmly with the families of its martyred officials and all personnel performing their duties in the service of the country," it added.