- Funeral for DSP Gul Muhammad Khan, constable Nadeem Gul was offered at Iqbal Shaheed Police Lines in Bannu
LAKKI MARWAT: A deputy superintendent of police (DSP) along with a constable was martyred on Friday night when unidentified attackers opened fire on their vehicle in Lakki Marwat, an official said on Saturday.
According to Bannu police spokesperson Bashir Khan, DSP Gul Muhammad Khan along with Constable Nadeem Gul was on routine patrol at the Manjiwala Chowk near the Indus Highway in Lakki Marwat. In the meanwhile, some unidentified assailants opened fire on the police van due to which the DSP and his gunman sustained critical wounds.
They were taken to the Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital Sarai Norang where both of them died during treatment. A contingent of police reached the spot after the incident and cordoned off the area. Police have also launched a search operation in the area to arrest the culprits.
According to the spokesman for Lakki Marwat police, two policemen, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Gul Muhammad Khan and constable, Naseem Gul, were martyred in an attack occurred near Manjiwala Chowk in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat district on Friday night. One policeman sustained injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment.
In another incident the same night, Constable Sanamat Khan was martyred when unknown assailants opened fire at him near his house in Sara Darga area of Lakki Marwat. The deceased constable was posted in Miranshah, North Waziristan and had returned home on leave.
An affiliate of the banned militant Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan group claimed responsibility for the attacks.
On Saturday morning, funeral prayers for the martyred police officials were held with official honours at Iqbal Shaheed Police Line in Bannu.
District Police Officer (DPO) Bannu Ziauddin Ahmed, DPO Lakki Marwat Taimur Khan, SP Operation Bannu Sanaullah and army officers laid flower wreaths on the coffins of the martyred and prayed for them.
DPO Bannu Ziauddin Ahmed praised the martyrs as being brave, dutiful and noble, adding that the Bannu police stand with the bereaved families in their hour of grief.
He said due to the best actions of the police, the miscreants are hiding now but they will not be forgiven in any case and those who challenge the government writ will be dealt strictly. He vowed to continue the war against terrorism till the complete elimination of this menace from the area. Due to the excellent actions of the police with the public support, the miscreants are hiding now, but they will not be forgiven in any case, he added.
“The blood of the martyrs will not go in vain,” DPO said, adding that “terrorists will not demoralise us with cowardly acts.”
DPO Lakki Marwat Taimur Khan said police forces have, in the past, sacrificed their lives for the country, which the entire nation values. “We are proud of such young people who died fighting bravely,” he added.
The attacks are the latest in a series of incidents targeting police officials in KP.
On Tuesday, six policemen were injured when unknown miscreants attacked them in the Township area of Bannu.
In March, two traffic police constables were martyred when unknown motorcyclists opened fire on them in Darra Pezu town in Lakki Marwat.
KP CM condemn attack, announces financial assistance for families
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur strongly condemned the attacks and expressed his condolences to the families of the martyrs.
According to a press release from the CM’s office, the chief minister has instructed top police officials to take all necessary steps for the immediate arrest of those involved in the attack.
“Targeting police officials who work towards public safety is sad and condemnable,” CM Gandapur said, adding that the police have made eternal sacrifices for the protection of law and order in the province.
He noted that the bereaved families will not be abandoned in this hour and will be fully supported.
CM Gandapur announced financial assistance for the martyr’s families under a Shahada Package and instructed police officials to take steps towards timely payments.
PM strongly condemns terrorist attack
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday strongly condemned a terrorist attack on police personnel in district Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The prime minister prayed for the high ranks of Shaheed DSP Gul Muhammad Khan, Naseem Gul, constable and others and expressed sympathies with the bereaved families, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
The prime minister said that KP police had been acting like a bulwark against terrorism. The cowardly terrorist activities could not shake their determination, he added.
