- Several other terrorists were injured in early morning attack on DG Khan’s Lakhani checkpoint: Spokesperson
- Today’s attack on Taunsa’s Checkpost marked 31st terrorist attack this year: Azma
DERA GHAZI KHAN/LAHORE: The Punjab Police repulsed another Khawarij terrorists attack on Lakhani checkpoint in DG Khan on border with Khyber-Pakhtunkha early Saturday morning, killing three terrorists and injuring “several others”, the police said in a statement.
Pakistan has been grappling with an alarming surge in terrorist attacks on security forces and other law enforcement agencies, especially in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa while Punjab’s border checkposts have also seen numerous attacks from KP border areas.
According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, 20 to 25 Kharwaji terrorists launched an attack on Lakhani border checkpost from all sides in the wee hours of Saturday.
“The terrorists used mortar shells, rocket launchers, sniper rifles, and other heavy weapons indiscriminately. However, police personnel, including Elite Force and SOU commandos, courageously defended the checkpost, forcing the terrorists to flee”, he added.
The police spokesperson said that three terrorists were killed during the attack while “several” were injured.
“Following the attack, the Punjab Police, CTD, and other security agencies cordoned off the area and conducted a search operation. Blood stains and fragments of brain matter were found at multiple locations, confirming casualties among the terrorists. While fleeing, the terrorists left behind their shoes and other belongings”, the spokesperson stated.
He said the police commandos, using modern weapons provided by the Government of Punjab, accurately targeted the terrorists’ heads, delivering a decisive response.
According to social media posts by the Punjab police, the terrorists attacked the Lakhani checkpoint in DG Khan, along the border with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“[Police personnel] defended the check post with courage and bravery … all personnel were safe,” one of the posts read. “Under the supervision of Regional Police Officer Dera Ghazi Khan Captain (retired) Sajjad Hassan Khan, police teams led by District Police Officer Syed Ali took immediate action.”
Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar was quoted as saying that the provincial police were “a solid wall against the enemies of national security and kharji terrorists”.
The IGP commended Dera Ghazi Khan Police for their success against the terrorists and directed continued operations against them.
He emphasized that Punjab Police remains fully alert and will not allow Khawariji terrorists to enter Punjab under any circumstances.
The Punjab Police spokesperson further said that all police personnel remained safe during the attack and search operations by police teams continue in the Punjab-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border areas.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi commended the Punjab police for their response to the attack in a press release, highlighting that they repelled the attack in a “highly professional manner”.
“We pay tribute to the police team for foiling the attack by the terrorists of Fitna al Khawarij,” Naqvi was quoted as saying, using the term designating members of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.
“The Punjab police responded to the attack in an extremely professional manner, delivering a decisive blow to the terrorists and defeating their nefarious designs,” he added. “We take pride in the brave and professional personnel of the Punjab police.”
“Today’s attack on Taunsa’s Lakhani Checkpost was the 31st terrorist attack this year”, the provincial information minister stated while announcing that the Punjab Police and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) have now been equipped with night vision cameras and modern weapons.
Earlier this month, Punjab police, along with the Counter-Terrorism Department and Rangers, thwarted two attacks by terrorists in the border areas of DG Khan.
The terrorists were forced to retreat and flee into the mountains after an intense exchange of fire with law enforcement agencies.
The operation was launched after intelligence reports about the presence of terrorists in the border area of Murha. Police said that the terrorists, armed with heavy weapons, attacked police teams but were met with a strong and timely response.
