ISLAMABAD: At least six policemen were killed on Monday when an improvised explosive device (IED) targeted their vehicle in Tank district of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
According to the police, the armoured vehicle, which was returning from Gomal Police Station, was destroyed in the blast. Additional Station House Officer (SHO) Ishaq Khan was also killed in the blast, police said.
The bodies were taken to the Tank District Headquarters Hospital by Rescue 1122. Police have sealed off the area and a “massive” security operation was underway, state-run APP reported.
In a separate incident, an IED explosion occurred near Darra Tang Road in Lakki Marwat, injuring three police personnel.
A police statement said that an SHO and other police personnel sustained minor injuries and are now out of danger.
PM Sharif orders immediate probe
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the terrorist attack.
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.
Recent attacks on law enforcement agencies
Law enforcement personnel have seen a surge in attacks across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in recent weeks.
On January 10, a Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) official was martyred in Peshawar by unidentified motorcyclists, while another CTD official was shot dead in Bannu.
A day earlier, a policeman was killed in an attack by gunmen in the Bajaur tribal district, while another lost his life in Khyber after gunmen ambushed a car.
In December, five policemen were martyred after a police vehicle was ambushed in KP’s Karak district.
Eight terrorists were later killed in an operation launched to track down those responsible.
Earlier, on December 1, a head constable was martyred and five other policemen were injured in Lakki Marwat when a suicide bomber targeted a police vehicle.
On the same day, a police constable was also gunned down by terrorists in Bannu.
