DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Six cops were martyred in a blast in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Tank district on Monday when an improvised explosive device (IED) targeted their armoured vehicle, the local police said.
“Six policemen were martyred in the IED blast,” said a statement from the Tank police spokesperson, adding that their armoured personnel carrier (APC) was targeted within the jurisdiction of the Gomal police station.
“The blast occurred while the APC was on its way to Tank from the Gomal police station,” the statement added.
The martyred included an additional station house officer (SHO), the police spokesperson said.
The bodies were taken to the Tank District Headquarters Hospital by Rescue 1122.
Police have sealed off the area and a “massive” security operation was underway, state-run APP reported.
PM Shehbaz orders probe
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an “immediate investigation” into the incident and directed that those responsible be brought to justice at the earliest, according to state-run Radio Pakistan.
The premier reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completely eradicate terrorism from the country.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his deep grief over the martyrdom of police personnel in the “terrorist attack”, a statement from his office said.
He paid tribute to the cops’ “bravery and their passion to serve the country”. The president prayed for the martyrs’ elevated ranks and for patience for their families.
Meanwhile, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi sought an immediate report from the top police officials on the incident, a statement from his office said.
He expressed his deep grief and anger, conveying his condolences to the bereaved families of the martyrs.
“The brave men of KP Police embraced martyrdom to protect the lives and property of the people,” Kundi was quoted as saying, adding that he was proud of the martyrs.
“These actions by Indian-backed Fitna al Khwarij cannot dampen our morale,” the governor asserted.
The KP governor urged the PTI-run provincial government to “take practical steps to ensure peace in the province”.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also strongly condemned the attack and hailed the sacrifices of “five policemen”.
“The courageous men of the police sacrificed their today for the nation’s peaceful tomorrow,” Naqvi was quoted as saying by his ministry.
“The great sacrifices of the martyrs will always be remembered,” he added.
Recent attacks on LEAs
Law enforcement personnel have increasingly come under attack in KP in recent weeks.
On January 10, a Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) official was martyred by unidentified motorcyclists in Peshawar, while another CTD official was gunned down in Bannu.
The day before, a policeman was martyred after gunmen attacked him in the Bajaur tribal district, while another died in Khyber when gunmen ambushed a car.
Three cops were injured in Bannu on January 8 as a police vehicle transporting prisoners to Hangu came under attack by “terrorists”. Also in Bannu, a former tehsil nazim was injured in a bomb blast outside his office on January 6.
In December, five policemen were martyred when a police vehicle was ambushed in KP’s Karak district. Eight terrorists were killed in an operation launched to hunt down the attackers.
On December 1, a head constable lost his life and five cops were injured in Lakki Marwat when a suicide bomber targeted a police vehicle. The same day, a police constable was gunned down by terrorists in Bannu.
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