Six cops martyred as police APC hit in Tank IED attack

• Additional SHO among martyrs of blast occurred on way from Gomal police station to Tank
• Three cops injured another IED blast that takes place in Lakki Marwat
• PM orders immediate probe with President Zardari, Interior Minister KP governor and others condemn attacks

DERA ISMAIL KHAN/LAKKI MARWAT: Six policemen were martyred on Monday when police vehicles were targeted in two separate incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Tank and Lakki Marwat districts.

“Six policemen were martyred in the IED blast targeting armoured personnel carrier (APC) in the jurisdiction of the Gomal police station,” the Tank police spokesperson confirmed in a statement issued on Monday.

“The APC was on the way from the Gomal police station to Tank when the blast occurred,” the statement said, adding that an additional station house officer (SHO) was among the martyrs.

The bodies of the martyred policemen were shifted to the Tank District Headquarters Hospital by Rescue 1122. Police sealed off the area and launched a “massive” security operation, according to state media.

Separately, another IED blast occurred near Darra Tang Road in Lakki Marwat, injuring three police personnel, according to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

A police statement said that an SHO and other police personnel, without specifying the exact number, were “slightly injured and are now out of danger”.

“Fitna al-Khwarij targeted the police APC with an IED explosion while police were patrolling near Jabar Khel on Darra Tang Road, within the jurisdiction of the Saddar police station,” the statement said.

Fitna al-Khwarij is the term used by the state for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Following the incident, Lakki Marwat District Police Officer (DPO) Nazir Khan reached the site and reviewed the situation. A search operation was subsequently launched in the area, the police statement said.

It quoted DPO Nazir as saying, “These cowardly acts cannot lower our morale. The Lakki Marwat police are responding vigorously to every challenge and are ready to make every possible sacrifice for the protection of the public.”

The officer asserted that police were resolutely confronting Fitna al-Khwarij, adding that security had been enhanced in the area.

PM Shehbaz orders probe into Tank attack

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an “immediate investigation” into the Tank incident and directed authorities to ensure that those responsible were 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 also expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of police personnel in the “terrorist attack”, according to a statement issued by the President House.

He paid tribute to the policemen’s bravery and their dedication to serving the country, praying for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks and for patience for their bereaved families.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi sought an immediate report from senior police officials on the incident, a statement from his office said.

Expressing deep grief and anger, he conveyed condolences to the families of the martyrs.

“The brave men of KP police embraced martyrdom while protecting the lives and property of the people,” Kundi was quoted as saying, adding that he was proud of the fallen officers.

“These actions by Indian-backed Fitna al-Khwarij cannot dampen our morale,” the governor asserted.

He urged the PTI-led provincial government to take “practical steps to ensure peace in the province”.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also strongly condemned the attack and paid tribute to 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, adding that the sacrifices of the martyrs would always be remembered.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, in a separate statement, expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of six police personnel.

Paying rich tribute to the sacrifices of law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism, he said the martyrdom of police officials was an irreparable loss.

“The entire nation is proud of its brave sons who stand firm against terrorism,” the speaker said, also praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.

“The nation stands shoulder to shoulder with its security forces in the fight against terrorism,” Sadiq affirmed.

Law enforcement personnel have increasingly come under attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 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.

A day earlier, a policeman was martyred in an attack in the Bajaur tribal district, while another lost his life in Khyber when gunmen ambushed a car.

On January 8, three policemen were injured in Bannu when 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.

Last month, in December, five policemen were martyred when a police vehicle was ambushed in KP’s Karak district. Eight terrorists were later killed during an operation launched to track down the attackers.

On December 1, a head constable was martyred and five policemen were injured in Lakki Marwat when a suicide bomber targeted a police vehicle. On the same day, a police constable was gunned down by terrorists in Bannu.