Cop martyred, 3 terrorists killed as 50 militants attack Bannu checkpoint

PESHAWAR:  A police personnel was martyred and three terrorists were gunned down in a foiled attack on a checkpost in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, it emerged on Sunday.

According to police, the terrorists attacked the Fateh Khel checkpost with heavy weapons, after which an exchange of fire took place between the police personnel and the terrorists.

Bannu Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sajjad Khan said that three terrorists were killed and several others were injured due to the police’s timely action. However, during the intense exchange of fire, a policeman embraced martyrdom after having fought gallantly, the police officer confirmed.

He said that a search operation was underway in the area to track down any further militants.
Funeral prayers were held Sunday morning for the martyred police constable.

Over the past few months, multiple areas of KP — including Bannu, Peshawar, Karak, Lakki Marwat and Bajaur — have seen a series of attacks, particularly targeting police personnel in Bannu in July.

Bannu Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sajjad Khan said in a statement that three terrorists were killed and police constable Rooh Niaz Khan was martyred when 40 to 50 terrorists attacked the police check post in Fateh Khel, Bannu.

Three terrorists were killed and as many policemen were injured in the exchange of fire, which lasted more than an hour, the statement added.

Soon after receiving information about the attack on the post, RPO Khan and District Police Officer (DPO) Saleem Abbas Kulachi, along with the force, left for the site of the incident, Aamir Khan, spokesperson for the Bannu region police, said.

“The terrorists had blocked the roads leading to the post, but the police officials reopened the roads and fought with the terrorists,” RPO Khan said. “Police personnel bravely fought the terrorists, who used heavy weapons.”

He noted that the search operation for the miscreants was still underway.

According to a statement by the Bannu Police Office, funeral prayers for the martyred constable were offered on Sunday morning at Bannu Police Lines. In attendance were his relatives, RPO Khan, DPO Kulachi, and other police officers.

While speaking on the occassion, DPO Kulachi said: “Martyred police officer Rooh Niaz Khan sacrificed his life while fighting against anti-national elements, proving that Bannu Police is steadfast on every front.”

“We will never forget his sacrifice,” he said, adding that the bravery, sense of duty and sacrifice of the deceased are a beacon of light for everyone else. NNI