2 cops martyred as suicide bomber strikes Dajil checkpost in Bhakkar

• One policeman, three passersby also injured in attack and rushed to DHQ hospital

• IG Police pays tribute to the martyrs, orders best medical treatment for the injured officer

BHAKKAR/LAHORE: Two policemen were martyred and another officer, along with three civilians, injured when a suicide bomber struck at the Dajil Inter-Provincial Checkpost in Punjab’s Bhakkar district on Tuesday evening, police officials confirmed.

In a statement, Abdul Kareem, Inspector General of Punjab Police, confirmed that Constable Faheem Abbas and Constable Shahbaz Madni embraced martyrdom while performing their duty to protect the nation at the Dajil checkpost. The IG Police described their sacrifice as a shining example of bravery, courage, and devotion to duty.

The attack coincided with another terrorist incident in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kohat district, where six law enforcement personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police, were martyred in an attack on a police vehicle.

The Dajil checkpost, located near the border of Dera Ismail Khan and Bhakkar, came under attack while police were conducting a search operation in the area to maintain law and order.

Bhakkar District Police Officer (DPO) Shahzad Rafiq confirmed that a suicide attacker approached the checkpost and detonated explosives. “Two policemen were martyred and one officer was injured, while three passersby also sustained injuries in the blast,” the DPO said.

The deceased policemen have been identified as Muhammad Faheem Abbas and Muhammad Shahbaz Madni, while the injured officer is Constable Muhammad Arshad. The identities of the injured civilians are still being ascertained. All injured were immediately shifted to District Headquarters Hospital, Bhakkar for treatment.

The IG Police directed that Constable Muhammad Arshad be provided the best possible medical care without delay. He also expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs and reaffirmed that Punjab Police stands like a steel wall against terrorist outfits Fitna Al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan, vowing that the nefarious designs of terrorists will be thwarted at all costs.

In a statement, Asif Ali Zardari, President of Pakistan, strongly condemned the terrorist attack, expressing deep grief over the loss of police personnel and offering condolences to the bereaved families. He also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured police personnel.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed profound sorrow over the martyrdom of the police personnel, as reported by Radio Pakistan. He reaffirmed that the sacrifices of law enforcement officials in the fight against terrorism will not be allowed to go in vain and reiterated the government’s unwavering resolve to eradicate terrorism from the country.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also strongly condemned the attack. In her statement, she paid tribute to the martyred policemen, saluting their courage and dedication. She extended heartfelt sympathies to the families of the slain officers and directed authorities to ensure that the injured policeman and others wounded in the incident receive the best possible medical care.

The attack has once again underscored the sacrifices made by law enforcement personnel on the frontlines of Pakistan’s fight against terrorism. Security agencies in Punjab and across the country have intensified counter-terrorism operations to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.

Officials noted that while the Dajil checkpost serves as a critical point of inter-provincial security, the bravery of the martyred policemen in confronting the suicide attacker demonstrates the unwavering commitment of Punjab Police to the protection of the public and the enforcement of law and order, even at the highest personal risk.