Five police officials martyred as IED blast destroys APC in Tank

Five police officials were martyred when their armoured personnel carrier (APC) in which they were travelling was targeted by terrorists with a bomb in Tank District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The terrorists planted an improvised explosive device (IED) on Tank-Gomal Road and when the police APC heading back to Tank from Gomal police station passed by it exploded with a bang.

The police vehicle was completely destroyed in the bomb explosion.

Tank police confirmed that five policemen on board the APC were martyred in the terrorist attack.

The police said Additional SHO of Gomal Police Station Ishaq Khan was among the martyred officials,

The Rescue 1122 staffers shifted to the dead bodies to Tank District Headquarters Hospital for medico-legal formalities.

It may be mentioned here that Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel in coordination with local police gunned down two terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in Bannu earlier on Monday.

The operation was conducted in the jurisdiction of Mira Khel Police Station, near Jando Khel Road in Bannu.

The dead terrorists were identified as Sohail alias Sanjri and Ismail alias Usman. These terrorists were involved in attacking police checkposts at Sheikh Landak and Fateh Jhel, in which eight policemen were injured.

The dead terrorists also attacked an under-construction Rescue 1122 building and were also involved in an IED attack.

The CTD and police team recovered two Kalashnikovs, 1 pistol, several bullets, two motorcycles, two mobile phones, two CNICs, and one card of a banned TTP.

Two terrorists escaped from the scene, taking advantage of the darkness. Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed and Additional Inspector-General of Police lauded local police and CTD Special Weapons and Tactics team for conducting a successful operation.

A dead earlier, acting on intelligence information, the CTD targeted a formation of Fitna al-Khwarij at the checkpoint on the Shah Kas Bypass Road in the Jamrud area of Khyber District, in which three terrorists were killed. 

According to the CTD, the slain terrorists were active members of Fitna al-Khwarij, who have been involved in attacks on forces, including murder, attempted murder, extortion and other terrorist incidents. 

President, PM, interior minister express grief

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of police personnel in a terrorist attack in Tank.

In their separate statements, they prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

The President paid tribute to the martyred police officials for their valour and sacrifice.

The Prime Minister, on the other hand, ordered an immediate investigation into the incident and directed that those responsible be brought to justice at the earliest.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the complete eradication of terrorism from the country.

Interior Minister strongly condemns bomb blast

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday strongly condemned the bomb blast that struck near a police vehicle in Tank, calling the attack a cowardly act of terrorism.

In a statement, the minister paid rich tribute to the five police personnel — including the Additional SHO — who embraced martyrdom in the explosion. He expressed heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of the martyred officers, acknowledging their immense sacrifice for the nation.

“Pakistan’s brave police officers sacrificed their today for the peaceful tomorrow of the nation,” Naqvi said, emphasizing that their courage and commitment would always be remembered.

He added that the sacrifices of the martyrs are a source of national pride and will never be forgotten. “The martyrs are our pride, and the nation can never forget their eternal sacrifices,” he said.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the attack, which marks yet another tragic incident targeting security forces in the region.

Naqvi pays tribute to CTD

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has paid tribute to the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) for successfully foiling terrorism plots in Peshawar, Bannu and Khyber. He praised the CTD’s professionalism in sending 8 terrorists to hell.

Interior Minister said that CTD operatives, through successful operations, eliminated 8 terrorists including two most wanted commanders and brought them to a humiliating end. He saluted to the brave personnel of CTD who took part in the operations. He highlighted that the role of CTD is commendable in wiping out terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“We view the actions of the forces for establishing peace in KP with appreciation.” He added that intelligence-based operations will continue until the complete eradication of terrorists

Reporter Jaffer Zeekori and Awais Kiyani