DERA ISMAIL KHAN: At least four policemen, including a station house officer (SHO), were martyred on Wednesday as armed militants attacked a police party during a search operation in Wanda Budh, the police spokesperson said.
According to the police spokesperson, the search operation was being conducted in the jurisdiction of Shaheed Nawab police station following intelligence reports about militant presence in the area.
During the operation, militants suddenly opened fire on the police party, prompting the officers to return fire, he added.
The officers who lost their lives included SHO Faheem Mumtaz, Constable Irfan Khan, Constable Ghulam Subhani, and Constable Wajahat, the spokesperson said.
He also added that Paharpur Circle Deputy Superintendent of Police Hafiz Adnan and Assistant Sub-Inspector Tariq were injured in the attack.
He said that the martyrs and the wounded officers were immediately shifted to the District Headquarters Teaching Hospital for treatment.
Following the incident, the spokesperson said, a heavy contingent of police, led by District Police Officer Sajad Ahmed Sahebzada, reached the scene and launched a search operation to apprehend the militants.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed deep sorrow over the attack.
He said he was saddened by the deaths of the police personnel and praised the bravery and sacrifice of Dera Ismail Khan police in protecting the public and the nation.
The governor also directed that all possible medical care be provided to the injured officers and prayed for their speedy recovery.
PTI’s Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, the former chief minister of the province, also expressed profound grief over the incident, stating that the officers laid down their lives in defence of the country and the people.
He prayed for the swift recovery of the injured officers and extended his condolences to the families of the martyred personnel, while praying for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks.
