At least six policemen, including a senior officer, were killed and three others injured in an explosion targeting a police vehicle in northwestern Pakistan on Monday, officials said. The patrol vehicle was targeted with an improvised explosive device (IED) in Tank district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Police said the blast killed a station house officer (SHO), a sub-inspector, three Elite Force personnel, and a driver. The three injured personnel were admitted to a nearby hospital. Provincial Chief Minister Sohail Afridi condemned the attack, calling it “extremely sad” and “reprehensible.” He expressed condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families and said that anti-peace elements will never succeed in their nefarious designs by attacking the police force.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has sought a detailed report on the attack. He expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss and expressed condolences to the families of the slain policemen. In another incident, an SHO and two other police officers were injured in an IED blast in Lakki Marwat district.
Police officials said the attack was carried out near a bridge, targeting the District Police Officer (DPO). Earlier, militants attempted to attack the Nala Kasho police post in Bannu district. However, the attack was foiled due to prompt police action. There were no casualties in the incident.