At least 15 policemen lost their lives, and three others sustained injuries in a suicide attack targeting a police check post in Pakistanآ‘s northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province bordering Afghanistan, said police on Sunday.
A statement issued by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Sajjad Khan on Sunday said that the powerful explosion caused severe destruction at the Fateh Khel check post, trapping several personnel under the debris in Bannu district of KPK late on Saturday night.
He confirmed that 15 police personnel were killed while three policemen were pulled alive from the rubble. He said that the morale of the Bannu Police remained high despite the deadly attack, adding that, “terrorists will never succeed in their nefarious designs.”
The militants launched their attack on the post by ramming a vehicle laden with explosives. The suicide blast completely destroyed the check post, and an armored vehicle stationed at the post was also destroyed.
The powerful explosion also damaged the nearby buildings and houses. The suicide attack comes at a time when Pakistan is witnessing a rise in terror attacks especially in KPK and Balochistan provinces bordering Afghanistan.
President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari in a statement strongly condemned the attack in Bannu, paying tribute to the police personnel killed in a militant attack and prayed for their “eternal peace and elevation of the ranks.”
He also expressed sorrow over the damage caused to the homes of area residents in the incident.
President Zardari directed the provincial and federal governments to ensure all possible assistance for the injured and those affected by the attack, the statement added.
Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif also strongly condemned the attack, expressing deep sorrow and grief over the loss of precious lives in the attack and prayed for the elevation of ranks of the police personnel killed.
He also extended heartfelt condolences to their bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the attack. The prime minister reiterated that the government remained fully determined to eliminate all forms of terrorism from the country.
— KUNA
