BANNU/LOWER DIR (MNN); At least five police personnel embraced martyrdom and several others were injured in two separate terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday, as security forces launched operations against militants in Lower Dir and Bannu.
According to police sources, five personnel were martyred on their way from intelligence-based operation (IBO) and were attacked in the Khanpur Haider area of Lower Dir. As police teams were returning from the operation, they came under another militant attack, leaving 15 personnel injured.
The injured officials have been identified as Miftahuddin, Naseeb Khan, Rehanullah, CTD official Asif Khan, who sustained a bullet wound to the chest and was shifted to Peshawar for specialised treatment, Habib-ul-Hassan, Amir Muhammad, Bakht Baidar, Izzatullah, Mehboob Ali, Shahab, Razi Muhammadi, Jawad, Nawab, Luqman Bahadur and Muhammad Nadeem.
Officials said terrorists also set five police vehicles on fire during the attack. Security forces later cordoned off the area and launched a large-scale operation against the militants. Intense exchanges of fire continued until the filing of this report.
Emergency was declared at hospitals in Peshawar, Swat and Dir to deal with the casualties. Several local residents were reportedly trapped in the crossfire, while many others evacuated the area for safety.
Terrorists Attack Police Station in Bannu
In a separate incident, terrorists attacked the Miryan Police Station in Bannu district, injuring at least four people, including a police officer.
District Police Officer (DPO) Captain (Retd.) Muhammad Furqan Bilal confirmed the attack, while hospital officials also verified the casualties.
According to police sources, the attackers attempted to ram an explosives-laden vehicle into the police station, triggering a powerful blast. A heavy exchange of fire followed between the attackers and police personnel, while additional police contingents and members of the Police Peace Committee rushed to the scene.
The explosion damaged parts of the police station and nearby residential buildings. Authorities said the attackers had earlier blown up an already damaged bridge leading to the police station in an apparent attempt to delay reinforcements and rescue efforts.
Local residents joined rescue operations following the attack, while security in the area was further tightened.
Pakistan has witnessed a sharp increase in terrorist violence, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, over the past few years. Bannu has repeatedly remained a target of militant attacks, including a suicide car bombing at Domel Police Station in April that claimed the lives of five civilians and injured 13 others, including a police officer.
Security forces continue intelligence-based operations across the region to dismantle militant networks and restore peace.
