Five policemen including a senior officer were martyred and five others injured when terrorists attacked a police station in Lakki Marwat late Wednesday night, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Thursday.

The terrorists targeted the Saddar Police Station in a gun-and-bomb attack and when an armoured personnel carrier (APC) was rushed to reinforce the under-attack staff the militants bombed it at Pirwala Morr.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Iqbal Mohmand and four gunmen onboard the APC were martyred in the explosion.

According to police sources, the terrorists also blew up a small bridge using explosive material which cut off the police station from the Lakki Marwat city.

A part of the police station was also caved in due to the terror attack, burying several police officials under the debris.

A police spokesman said that DSP Iqbal Mohmand, accompanied by four gunners, left for the assault site immediately after the terrorists launched the attack at the Saddar Police Station. However, a roadside bomb near the police station exploded as the APC passed Pirwala Morr, said the police spokesman. The blast left DSP Iqbal Mohmand martyred along with his gunners.

Police sources also informed that the terrorists managed to escape from the scene after an exchange of fire with the police personnel.

Police and rescue teams shifted the bodies of the martyred and the injured police officials to City Hospital Lakki Marwat.

The martyred police officials were identified as DSP Iqbal Mohmand, Karamatullah, Waqar and Ali Marjan while injured officials were named as Head Constable Farooq Shah, Constable Gultiaz, Constable Asghar, Constable Amanat, Constable Arif and Constable Sardar Ali. One of the injured later succumbed to his wounds.

Following the incident, the police initiated a search operation to locate and apprehend the terrorists.

Officers’ martyrdom saddens PM Shehbaz 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his condolences over the martyred of police officials in Lakki Marwat terrorist attack.

In a tweet uploaded on Thursday, the prime minister said “

Heart saddened by the martyrdom of 4 police personnel including DSP as a result of militant attack in Lucky Marwat. The sacrifices of our police officers/men in the war against terrorism are unforgettable. May Allah grant the martyrs a place in His mercy and speedy recovery to the injured.”

https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1641307924143153153

Reporter Sajid Baloch