The police headquarters in Tank district came under attack by militants on Friday morning. Three policemen were martyred and two were injured in the exchange of fire. Moreover, the attackers were also killed in the retaliatory action by security forces.
In a tragic incident today, three courageous policemen lost their lives, and two others sustained injuries during an attack on the local police headquarters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Tank district. This shocking news comes as a stark reminder of the dangers our law enforcement officers face in the line of duty.
Tank District Police Officer Iftikhar Ali Shah confirmed this heartbreaking development. He revealed that among the fallen heroes was a sub-inspector who had dedicated his life to protecting the community.
The attack unfolded when a group of militants targeted the main entrance of the police office and residence block, with one of them detonating himself. The ensuing chaos saw a fierce firefight between our brave officers and the attackers, lasting for several hours.
Thankfully, the courage and dedication of our police force prevailed. As KP Inspector General Akhtar Hayat reported three of the attackers were neutralized during the exchange.
DPO Shah, who was present at the scene, shared that a search operation was ongoing to locate any remaining militants. He disclosed that the attackers resorted to gunfire and even used hand grenades during their assault.
Terrorist Group Took The Blame
A previously unknown militant group, calling themselves Ansarul Islam. They claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement sent to a Reuters reporter. However, the police have not yet confirmed the authenticity of this claim.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar expressed his strong condemnation and paid tribute to the security forces for thwarting “a significant act of terrorism.” He emphasized the nation’s solidarity with its brave security personnel in the ongoing battle against terror. However, he reaffirmed the commitment to eliminate terrorism from our beloved country.
Today’s tragic event follows a recent attack in Dera Ismail Khan, where militants associated with Tehreek-i-Jihad Pakistan (TJP) targeted a military compound. The attack resulted in the martyrdom of 23 soldiers and the injury of over 30 troops. Pakistan has seen a troubling increase in terrorist activities. Particularly in KP and Balochistan since the TTP terminated its ceasefire with the government last November.
It’s important to remember that these attacks on our security forces are attacks on all of us. We salute the bravery of our police officers who put their lives on the line to keep us safe. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the martyred officers, and we stand united against terrorism in these trying times.
As the country grapples with rising anti-state violence, we must remain vigilant and continue supporting our law enforcement agencies in their relentless efforts to safeguard our nation.