LAKKI MARWAT: At least one police personnel was martyred and six others injured in a suicide blast targeting a police mobile in Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday.
The suicide bomber, accompanied by his accomplice, was standing by the roadside and blew himself up as the police mobile drove past in the Bakhmal Ahmadzai area of Lakki Marwat, said the police.
After being informed, the police and rescue officials rushed to the scene and shifted the body and the injured to the hospital. The bomber’s accomplice managed to escape after the attack, the police said, adding that a search operation was underway to arrest the suspect.
Talking to the media, Lakki Marwat district police officer (DPO) said that the two attackers arrived at the crime scene on a motorcycle. Police had traced the bombers and managed to push them onto a dirt track, where the attackers opened fire on the officials, he added.
Following the retaliatory fire by the police personnel, one of the attackers blew himself up, said the police officer. The DPO added that police risked their lives to prevent destruction in the area.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack near a police mobile in Lakki Marwat. In a statement issued by the PM House, the prime minister prayed for the grant of eternal peace to the departed souls and for the bereaved families to be blessed with strength and patience in this difficult time.
PM Shehbaz directed authorities to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured and prayed for their swift recovery. He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to completely eliminate terrorists, who were the enemies of innocent and unarmed civilians. The prime minister also vowed to thwart their nefarious designs.
Meanwhile, unidentified motorcyclists opened fire on a police constable here on Monday who embraced martyrdom on the spot. According to police, Constable Tariq Khan was on his way to duty when unknown bike riders opened fire on him at Surwangi Adda in the jurisdiction of Cantt Police Station. He sustained multiple bullet injuries which proved fatal.
Later, funeral prayers for the martyred cop were offered at Police Lines, Bannu. Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Faheem Khan, District Police Officer (DPO), Bannu, Yasir Afridi, Counter-Terrorism Department Superintendent of Police Fazal Wahid Khan, SP Traffic Ihsanuddin Khan, SP Investigation Sajid Mumtaz Khan, other police officials, personnel, and a number of the family members and people attended the funeral prayers. A smartly turned-out police contingent presented a salute, while senior officers laid floral wreaths and paid tribute to the fallen constable.
Speaking on the occasion, DPO Yasir Afridi said Constable Tariq Khan set an example of bravery, honesty, and dedication by sacrificing his life in the line of duty. “Bannu Police salute every martyr. We will not rest until the culprits are brought to justice,” he said, adding that such cowardly attacks cannot weaken the police force’s resolve to maintain peace and security.
