Militants kill two policemen near Khyber Agency

Around 50 militants, equipped with RPG-7 rockets, medium machine-guns, attack Speen Qabar check post.

PESHAWAR: Two police constables were killed when militants attacked the Speen Qabar check post of Badabher police near Khyber Agency on Thursday.

Around 50 militants, equipped with RPG-7 rockets and medium machine-guns, attacked the check post jointly manned by the police and Frontier Constabulary (FC) around 10am – opposed to most attacks which take place at night.

The attackers took complete advantage of the element of surprise and inflicted damage on the police. A police constable, Rehman Wali, was killed inside the check post while another, Shamsur Rehman, went missing.

A large search operation was carried out by the police in the area after the militants retreated, fearing the abduction of their fellow official. An hour later, the man was found dead in a nullah.

Police arrested several suspicious men from the area during the operation and shifted them to a police station for investigation.

“They really surprised the police by attacking in broad daylight from an open country like Akka Khel Khyber Agency,” said Israr, commander of local peace militia, adding that in the past 99% of the attacks had been carried out at night.

“The entire area is open with very less human habitation but the problem is the bushes which could provide cover to any attacker,” he explained.

DSP Fazal Mulla told The Express Tribune that two policemen were killed by the militants who retreated towards their native town, Akka Khel, Khyber Agency.

It is worth mentioning that the Speen Qabar check post lies on the border of Khyber Agency to stop militants’ movement. It has been repeatedly attacked by the militants, killing several police and FC men in the past five years.