At least 15 police personnel were martyred when terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the Fateh Khel police post in Bannu late at night, security officials confirmed.
According to police, three injured personnel were pulled alive from the debris as search and rescue operations continue in the area.
The martyrs include Rahmat Ayaz, Sanaullah, Niaz Ali, Suhaib, Saadullah, Kamran son of Mahmood Khan, Nematullah, Kamran, Abid Jani, Imran, Naimullah, Siddiqullah, Mir Alam Khan, Rahatullah Khan and Farooq Dad.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Bannu Region Sajjad Khan visited the District Headquarters Hospital late at night and inquired after the health of the injured officers.
Speaking to the media, he said the morale of Bannu police remains high and that terrorists would never succeed in their “nefarious designs.” He vowed that the attackers would be traced and eliminated.
“This will prove to be the last cowardly act of terrorists,” he said, adding that police would ensure the complete elimination of militant networks from the region.
Meanwhile, search and clearance operations are still underway in the area.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi strongly condemned the attack and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives.
He directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured and prayed for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks and speedy recovery of the wounded.
He said terrorism is not only an issue for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but for the entire country, adding that policies imposed without consultation had pushed the region into instability.
The chief minister reiterated that the provincial government stands with every affected family and praised the police force for its frontline sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, vowing that the fight against militancy would continue until its complete eradication.