Elite Force constable killed in Tank attack as grenade assault injures three in DI Khan

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: An Elite Force constable was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Tank district on Thursday, while in a separate incident in Dera Ismail Khan, a woman and two children were injured after assailants allegedly hurled a hand grenade at a house and opened fire, police said.

Police said attackers opened fire on constable Ziaullah Bhittani in broad daylight in Tank’s main bazaar near Sahib Jan Serai, close to the Durand Gate police post. He died at the scene, according to police, and his body was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital for legal formalities.

Officials said a heavy police contingent reached the area soon after the shooting, sealed off the crime scene and began collecting evidence. A search operation was launched to trace and arrest the assailants. Police said the slain constable belonged to Umra Adda village and that efforts were continuing to identify those behind the attack and take them into custody.

Grenade and firing attack in Wanda Ali

In the second incident, police said unidentified attackers targeted the residence of a man identified as Iqbal in Wanda Ali village within the limits of Kadi Khaisor police station in Dera Ismail Khan district. According to police, the assailants allegedly threw a hand grenade at the house and then opened fire.

The blast and subsequent firing left two children and a woman injured, police said. The injured were taken to hospital for treatment, while police teams reached the scene, gathered evidence and opened an investigation into the attack.

Following the incident, relatives of the victims and local residents held a protest outside the office of the SP Paharpur. They demanded the arrest of those responsible and stronger security arrangements for the affected family.

The protest ended after negotiations with Paharpur Assistant Commissioner and SHO Zafar Abbas. Police said raids were under way to apprehend those involved and that the investigation into the grenade attack and firing was continuing.