Blast damages police constable’s house in Lakki Marwat

LAKKI MARWAT: Unidentified militants targeted the residence of a police constable with an improvised explosive device in the Shadikhel area of Lakki Marwat, police said on Saturday.

A police official said the attackers were affiliated with Fitna-al-Khawarij and had planted the IED at the house of Constable Tehsil Khan. Fitna al Khawarij is the term used by the state for militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

According to the official, the blast caused extensive damage to the building. He said the bedrooms, veranda and washrooms were among the parts of the house affected in the explosion.

No one was injured in the attack, the official said, adding that the family members were not present at the time because they had been staying with relatives.

Following the explosion, a large police contingent reached the site and began a search operation in the surrounding area, the official added.

Recent violence in the area

The latest incident came a day after a policeman was martyred in a heavy exchange of fire with militants following an attack on a police post in the remote Shadikhel area of the district.

Officials said the assailants used both light and heavy weapons in what appeared to be an attempt to take control of the post.

Lakki Marwat has been among several districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that have seen repeated militant attacks in recent months. Other areas mentioned by officials include Bannu, Peshawar, Karak and Bajaur, where police personnel have also come under attack.

Earlier this month, at least five policemen, including an officer, were injured in an explosion in Shahbazkhel town in Lakki Marwat.

The attack on the constable’s house adds to a series of incidents in the district, where police have faced mounting security threats. Police said the latest blast caused major structural damage but did not result in casualties because the occupants were away at the time.

Authorities have not reported any arrests in connection with the incident. Police remained in the area after the blast as part of the search operation launched after the attack.

The incident also follows the recent attack on a police post in the same broader area, underlining the continuing security challenges faced by law enforcement personnel in Lakki Marwat and other parts of the province.