Two policemen martyred in attack on patrol in Mohmand

MOHMAND: Two police personnel, including an additional station house officer, were martyred and another officer was injured when militants attacked a police patrol in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Mohmand district on Thursday night, according to a police statement.

The statement said the attack took place near the Warsak Lift Canal in the Machni area within the limits of Ekkaghund police station. A police mobile patrol came under heavy firing from armed assailants identified by the state as Fitna al Khawarij, a term used for terrorists linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

Police said Additional SHO Zaitullah and Elite Force constable Noor Zeb were martyred while responding to the assault. The driver of the police vehicle, Zahir, suffered serious injuries. He was provided initial treatment before being shifted to Peshawar for further medical care.

According to the police statement, the patrol party responded quickly and forced the attackers to pull back. It added that verified official sources reported that several militants were believed to have been killed during the exchange of fire. Police also said the attackers left behind one M4 rifle, one Kalashnikov and three loaded magazines before fleeing the scene.

After the incident, Deputy Superintendent of Police for Ekkaghund Circle Dilfaraz Khan, SHO Qasim Jan and additional police contingents arrived in the area, sealed off the site and began a search and clearance operation. The statement said efforts were under way to track down and arrest the assailants who escaped.

Mohmand police, according to the statement, reaffirmed their determination to continue operations against Fitna al Khawarij until the threat was eliminated, and said the sacrifices of the martyred personnel would not be allowed to go in vain.

The funeral prayers for the two martyred policemen were offered with full state honours at Police Lines in Ghalanai early on Friday. Those in attendance included Mohmand District Police Officer Raza Mohammad, Mohmand Rifles Commandant Asim Mahmood, Member of the National Assembly Sajid Khan, and senior officials from the police and civil administration.