BANNU: Two police personnel were martyred in separate targeted attacks in Bannu district, police officials said on Friday.
They said the first incident occurred near Azad Mandi on the Bannu-Miranshah Road early in the day. Officials said Constable Mishkat Amir Hamza was returning home after attending a gathering at a Tablighi Markaz when unidentified gunmen opened fire on him. He embraced martyrdom on the spot.
In a separate incident, Constable Muhammad Roshan, affiliated with the Wazir Sub-Division Police, was martyred outside his residence in the Syedgi Bakakhel area by unidentified assailants.
According to police officials, Constable Roshan had been serving at the camp for temporarily displaced persons from North Waziristan in Bakakhel. He had returned from duty and was outside his home when attackers targeted him.
Police described both incidents as acts of targeted killing and terrorism. Funeral prayers for the two martyred policemen were offered at Police Lines Bannu, attended by DPO Yasir Afridi, senior police officers, and a large number of personnel.
Following the funeral, the bodies were dispatched to their native areas with full official honors.
Speaking on the incidents, District Police Officer (DPO), Bannu, Yasir Afridi, termed both incidents acts of terrorism and directed law-enforcement agencies to intensify efforts against militant elements operating in the area.
DPO Yasir Afridi vowed to accelerate operations aimed at eliminating terrorism and maintaining law and order in the district. He said all available resources were being utilised to apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice.
