PESHAWAR: Nine police officers, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), were martyred and 28 others injured after a terrorist attack on the Khazina Banda checkpost in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu district late on Wednesday.
According to a statement by Inspector General (IG) Zulfiqar Hameed, the incident was perpetrated by Fitna al-Khawarij—designated as a term for affiliates of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during a brazen assault on the checkpost. Despite the timely response by security forces, the attack resulted in significant casualties, including damage to an armored personnel carrier.
The IG highlighted the courage of the police personnel who confronted the attackers, noting that15 suspected terrorists (kharji) were neutralized. He emphasized that the operation exemplifies the province’s unwavering commitment to eliminating terrorism, stating, “The bravery and professionalism displayed by our forces will remain unmatched in this battle.”
Pursuing justice, the IG confirmed that nine officers, including DSP Diyar Khan, lost their lives, while 28 sustained injuries. He reaffirmed that law enforcement would persistently target terrorist elements operating with external support.
A separate attack occurred in the Adezai area under Peshawar’s Mattani police station. A senior official reported that terrorists fired at the post but fled after police intervened, with no injuries reported among the police present.
National Condemnation
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, expressing “deep grief” for the martyrs and praising their sacrifice as a “national asset.” Zardari vowed to eradicate terrorism “in all its forms,” while PM Sharif noted that the police’s “retaliatory operation” led to the elimination of 15 terrorists.
Sharif underscored the government’s resolve to counter terrorism, stating it would pursue all accountable parties. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi echoed these sentiments, offering condolences and urging prioritized medical care for the injured.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi sought a detailed incident report and directed support for the families of the victims. Calling the officers’ sacrifice “unforgettable,” he vowed unity in the fight against terrorism.
Other officials, including Information Minister Shafi Jan, condemned the attack as “cowardly” and mourned the loss of lives. Separate reports indicated heightened security challenges, with increased terrorist activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
A recent security assessment by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies noted a sharp rise in terrorist incidents, including a July 6 attack in Balochistan’s Ziarat district that killed 27 personnel.
