Assault on court: Policeman killed, 9 injured by militants

The two burqa-clad militants, wearing explosive-laden vests, died during the fight.

KOHAT:

A policeman was killed and nine others were injured when two armed militants attacked Kohat court, on Monday, with hand-grenades and guns. The militants also died in the ensuing fight.

“At around 11:30am, two burqa-clad militants barged into the court premises, lobbing a hand-grenade and opening random fire,” Cantonment Police Station House Officer (SHO) Amjad Hussain told The Express Tribune.

The police officer said, “A constable, Muhammad Sajid, died on the spot.”



Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Dr Ishtiaq Marwat and District Police Officer (DPO) Saleem Marwat rushed to the scene along with a heavy police contingent. The police fired back and shot down the attackers.

“Both the militants wore explosive-laden vests. The police recovered nine hand grenade which were defused by the bomb deposal unit,” SHO Amjad Hussain further informed. Apart from wearing burqa, the militants had women’s sandals on their feet, said a witness.



“At the time of the attack, Muhammad Asif – the main accused involved in murder of former provincial assembly member Fareed Khan who was elected from Hangu – was being produced at the court,” a government official said on condition of anonymity. The official believed that the attack might have been carried out to get the accused out.

Security forces, along with police, launched an operation in the area immediately after the attack and declared the area clear.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10^th, 2013.