Four policemen martyred, 10 injured as blast rattles Khyber's nerve centre

The blast occurred near a police station in the tribal district

KHYBER (Dunya News) – Four policemen were martyred and 10 other people were injured in a blast near a police station in Bara Bazaar of Khyber district on Thursday. 

The attack was carried out at the gate of the tehsil compound where the Bara police station, a cell of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and other government offices are located. 

Police officials deputed at the gate were checking the people entering the compound when the explosion occurred following a heavy gunfire.

KP Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat confirmed the incident, stating that two terrorists, who reached the place by a car, attempted to enter the compound from front and rear sides. He said the gates on both sides were closed and security was high alert as police had received an alert from intelligence about a possible attack.

The top cop said the police officials foiled their bid to enter the compound and apparently they blew themselves up after facing resistance.

Rescue officials said a body and four injured had been shifted to the Hayatabad Medical Complex, adding that three injured were shifted to the District Headquarters (DHQ) hospital while some others were administered first aid on the spot. One of the policemen later succumbed to his injuries. 

Prime minister condemns attack   

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the terrorist attack. He expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of the policemen in the blast. He prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed souls in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved families to bear this loss with fortitude.

The prime minister directed the authorities to provide the best medical facilities to the injured. He said the police personnel halted the suspects by risking their lives and foiled the nefarious intentions of the terrorists. 

“The personnel of the law-enforcement agencies ensure the safety of the people by risking their lives,” he added. He said he, along with the whole nation, paid tributes to the brave policemen. 

Interior minister's tweet 

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah also condemned the terrorist attack and prayed for the police officials who were martyred in the incident. Pledging to eliminate terrorism, he said the whole nation stood with the security forces in fight against terrorism.

 

— Rana SanaUllah Khan (@RanaSanaullahPK) July 20, 2023

The attack comes hours after two policemen embraced martyrdom and two others suffered injuries when terrorists opened fire at a police mobile van at a check post in Peshawar. 

Terrorists opened fire at a check post located in Raigi Model Town area of Peshawar due to which four policemen suffered injuries. 

The deceased policemen were identified as head constable Wajid and driver Farman. The injured were identified as constable Sayar and constable Feroze.

The country has seen surge in terrorism in recent times, especially after Islamabad asked Afghanistan to take action against terrorists involved in launching attack against Pakistan.