PESHAWAR: Nine cops, including a deputy superintendent of police, were martyred and 28 others were injured after terrorists attacked the Khazina Banda checkpost in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu district late on Wednesday.
A statement issued by KP Inspector General (IG) Zulfiqar Hameed said that the checkpost was attacked by Fitna al Khawarij, a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, while police personnel were present.
He said that the police personnel responded bravely, while additional personnel were also dispatched. However, the terrorists ambushed the contingent, due to which an armoured personnel carrier was damaged.
The IG said that despite these challenges, the personnel fought with bravery and professionalism.
“Fifteen kharji were killed while multiple others were injured due to the police’s response,” he said. The IG added that during the intense and long exchange of fire, nine cops, including DSP Diyar Khan, were martyred while 28 others were injured.
The IG asserted that KP police’s morale and resolve were strong, adding that the battle to wipe out terrorists from every corner of the province would continue.
Speaking to Dawn, a senior police official also confirmed the number of casualties. He said that an exchange of fire broke out after the terrorists attacked the checkpost.
Separately, a police checkpost in Adezai area, within the jurisdiction of the Mattani police station in Peshawar was also attacked by terrorists late on Wednesday night.
“Terrorists fired at the post but cops responded, prompting the former to escape,” a senior police official said, adding that all the cops remained unhurt.
