PNN: Three terrorists, including a commander, were killed and nine others injured when police successfully thwarted a coordinated attack on Khuni Khel police post in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, officials said on Wednesday.
A large number of terrorists launched an attack with heavy weapons in an attempt to seize control of the police post. The attackers attempted to encircle the post from all sides.
On the instructions of Deputy Inspector General Bannu Region Sajjad Khan and District Police Officer Yasir Afridi, additional police personnel, the Quick Response Force, and Rapid Response Force reached the scene, forcing the terrorists to retreat.
Among the slain terrorists, one has been identified as commander Umar Azam alias Khazmati, while another has been identified as Shahidullah. The identification of the third is underway. During the encounter, one police officer was slightly injured but is reportedly out of danger.
To avenge the killing of their accomplices, terrorists also attempted to attack Police Station Ahmadzai and Fateh Khel Police Post on Tuesday night, but personnel deployed there repelled the attacks, forcing the attackers to flee.
DIG Sajjad Khan appreciated the courage and professionalism of the personnel, announcing commendation certificates and cash rewards. He stated that there is no place for terrorists in Bannu and they will be eliminated.
“Bannu Region Police consists of brave, courageous, and determined personnel who are ready at all times to confront all kinds of threats, and Bannu will soon be completely cleared of terrorists,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident in Dera Ismail Khan district, unknown miscreants lying in ambush in forests adjacent to the road opened fire on sub-divisional police officer Kulachi.
Al-Barq Force, Elite Force, and District Police cordoned off the area. Under the command of District Police Officer Sajjad Ahmed Sahibzada, SDPO Suburb Circle Kashif Sattar and SDPO Kulachi Aslam Khan Baloch led a search and strike operation in the areas of Hathala, Budh, Mor, and Sahi.
Police personnel and the Bomb Disposal Squad staff conducted raids at the alleged hideouts, while multiple houses in the area were checked and cleared. During the operation, 13 suspected individuals, including facilitators of the miscreants, were taken into custody.
An investigation has been initiated, with checkpoints established and monitoring of the area underway, according to the District Dera Ismail Khan Police spokesperson.