At least 15 police personnel were martyred and three others injured after terrorists rammed an explosives-laden loader rickshaw into the Fateh Khel police checkpoint in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district late Saturday night.
A Bannu police spokesman told media the attack had triggered a massive blast, destroying the post and trapping several personnel under the debris. Following the attack, rescue teams reached the site, with search and rescue efforts spanning hours due to the debris.
Preliminary findings of the Bomb Disposal Squad have revealed the attackers used a loader rickshaw packed with 1,000-1,500kg of explosives. According to local media, investigators have recovered various parts of the loader rickshaw, along with other crucial evidence, from the site.
Authorities have placed Bannu and its surrounding areas on high alert, tightening security, and expanding their investigation to track down those involved in planning and facilitating the attack.
On Sunday, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed visited Bannu and met senior police officers and frontline personnel. In addition to summoning a comprehensive report on the incident, he met field officers and constables, boosting their morale.
Addressing the officers and personnel, he said Bannu police have always played a frontline role in the war against terrorism and rendered invaluable sacrifices. “Whether it is the eradication of crime or operations against terrorists, Bannu police have always achieved successes,” he said. “Now that terrorists, unable to face the courage and bravery of the police, have resorted to cowardly tactics, we will also keep our preparations complete to bring them to their logical end,” he vowed.
“Every drop of blood of the police martyrs will be avenged, and generations of terrorists will remember our response,” he said. During his visit, he also chaired a high-level meeting to review all details of the incident and examine proposals for future strategy.
Condemnations and condolences
President Asif Ali Zardari has paid tribute to the martyred police personnel. In a statement, he prayed for eternal peace and the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs and asked their families to remain steadfast during this difficult time. He also expressed sorrow over the damage caused to the homes of residents in the incident and directed the provincial and federal governments to ensure all possible assistance for the injured and those affected by the attack.
Emphasizing that the nefarious designs of terrorist elements would be foiled, he reiterated that the nation stands shoulder-to-shoulder with its forces. He regretted that while Pakistan was striving for regional and global peace, terrorists backed by India were targeting its civilian population and law enforcement agencies from sanctuaries provided by the Taliban regime.
The president expressed confidence that Pakistan would succeed in its efforts for global peace and defeat terrorists as well as their patrons, adding the country would target not only terrorists but also their facilitators and sponsors.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack in a call with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. Expressing deep sorrow and grief over the loss of precious lives in the incident, he prayed for a higher status in heaven for the police personnel martyred in the attack and expressed condolences to their families and also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident.
He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to working with the provincial governments to eradicate terrorism, stressing that all possible support would be provided to the provincial government in the fight against terrorism. Both leaders paid tribute to the armed forces of Pakistan, security forces, and police for their efforts in combating terrorism.
In his statement, the KP chief minister strongly condemned the attack. Expressing deep sorrow and grief over the loss of lives in the attack, he directed authorities to ensure the provision of the best possible medical treatment to the injured. “The war against terrorism is not just Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s war, but a war for the entire country,” he said, reiterating that decisions made “behind closed doors” and “imposed policies” had pushed the country into a state of insecurity.
He said the KP government stood with every family affected by terrorism. “KP Police have made immense sacrifices in the war against terrorism,” he said, vowing that the sacrifices of martyrs would not go in vain. He pledged to continue efforts until “the menace of terrorism is completely eradicated.”