Surprise attack: One killed, four injured in militant ambush

Police mobile, armoured carrier destroyed by RPG-7 rockets.

PESHAWAR: A passerby was killed and four policemen were injured when militants attacked the Mattani police station and one of its check posts on Frontier Road.

The attack occurred at around 8:30pm on Tuesday, when militants attacked the police with machine guns and rockets.

Sub inspectors Bukhari Shah, Farid Gul and a driver, Khalid, were preparing to go on a routine patrol when the incident occurred. The injured had multiple bullet wounds. Another constable was also injured, but his name could not be confirmed.

The injured policemen were rushed to the Lady Reading Hospital, while the militants escaped to an area adjacent to Akka Khel.

The police mobile and armoured personnel carrier was destroyed by RPG-7 rockets.

The police claimed that at least one of the attackers was also killed. Residents, however, told The Express Tribune that Zewar Khan, a passerby, died in the crossfire. They said that Khan was living in a rented house for the past six months. “Zewar Khan is an IDP from Khyber Agency,” said a local, Sohail Khan.

Police reinforcements were sent to the area led by DSP Fazal-e-Mula and a search operation was initiated. “There are multiple people dead on the militants’ side, but they have taken the bodies with them.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4^th, 2012.