Six policemen were martyred Wednesday in an attack on a police van in Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to police, the terrorists attacked the police van on Abbasa Road, Wanda Shahab Khel, in the limits of Dadewala police station.

Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Ilm Din and other officials were among the martyred policemen.

Another policeman was martyred in firing by miscreants in Lakki Marwat last Friday. Head constable Sadar Nawaz belonged to Wanda Shahabkhel village of Kurrum Par area and was settled in Michenkhel locality of Lakki city.

AFP adds: Gunmen with automatic rifles launched an attack at around 7 am on a police vehicle patrolling the village of Shahab Khel, 100 km from the Afghan border. 

"All the six policemen were killed" under fire from both sides, Tariqullah Khan, a district official in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, told AFP.

The death toll was confirmed by a second police official.

The Pakistan Taliban -- known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) -- said the police were "coming for a raid" when they were gunned down.

It said in a statement to AFP its own fighters "managed to reach their base safely" after looting weapons and ammunition.

The latest shooting came on the heels of another joint operation by the CTD and police in Dera Ismail Khan on Tuesday.

Four terrorists belonging to a banned organization were killed in the joint operation by police and personnel of Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Dera Ismail Khan. The CTD and police personnel also recovered a large quantity of equipment used in making IEDs and landmines.

According to sources, the joint CTD and police raided a hideout of the terrorists in DI Khan’s suburban area of Tehsil Kalachi and killed a terrorist during an exchange of fire.

The other three terrorists were killed in IED and landmine explosions which occurred while the gunbattle was under way.

The sources further revealed that the slain terrorists used their hideout to build landmines and remote-controlled bomb which are planted on roadsides.

President Alvi says terrorism cannot deter nation’s resolve

President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday said the cowardly acts of terrorism could not deter the nation’s resolve to eradicate the menace from the country.

Condemning the terrorist attack on police personnel in Lakki Marwat, he said the nation was proud of the valuable sacrifices laid by the martyred policemen.

The president paid tribute to the six policemen martyred in the terrorist attack and prayed for the elevation of the ranks of their souls.

PM condemns terrorist attack

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the terrorists are the enemies of Pakistan and every possible step will be taken to safeguard the country. 

In a statement, Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the Wednesday's terrorist attack on a police van in Lakki Marwat. He paid tributes to the martyred six police personnel. He said the whole nation salutes the sons of the soil who sacrificed their lives for the motherland.

He asked Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to immediately announce Shuhada package for the martyred police personnel.

Commiserating with the bereaved family, Shehbaz Sharif prayed for the departed souls.

Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah also strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the police personnel in Lakki Marwat. In a statement, the Interior Minister sought report from Chief Secretary and IG Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of the incident.

KP CM notice

KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has taken notice of the terrorist attack on the police van in Lakki Marwat, directing IGP to present a report to him as soon as possible.

He condemned the attack, saying the sacrifices of the security men will not go in vain.

Reporters: Farhatullah Babar and Amir Shahzad