Terrorist attack on Bannu police station triggers heavy gun battle

BANNU: Terrorists attacked a police station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district on Wednesday, leading to a prolonged exchange of fire with security personnel, police said.

Bannu District Police Officer Captain (Retd) Muhammad Furqan Bilal confirmed the attack and said the situation was still being assessed. He added that information about casualties would be shared later.

The attackers tried to ram an explosives-laden vehicle into Miryan Police Station, causing a powerful explosion. Police sources said the blast was followed by intense firing between the assailants and police personnel for a considerable period.

The explosion was heard from a considerable distance. The blast also caused damage to the police station building as well as nearby residential areas.

Police sources said security in the area was tightened after the attack. Additional police contingents were dispatched to the site, while members of the Police Peace Committee also reached the scene.

Initial reports suggested there could be casualties and property losses, with injured people being shifted to hospitals for treatment. However, official confirmation regarding the number of casualties and the full extent of the damage was still awaited.

Recent attack in Bannu

In April, a suicide car bombing at Domel Police Station in Bannu killed at least five civilians and injured 13 others, including a policeman.