Terrorist killed as attack on Bannu police post thwarted

BANNU: A terrorist was killed early Wednesday when Bannu police repelled an attack on the Mazanga police post, officials said.

Police officials said heavily armed terrorists attacked the post in the early hours of Wednesday, but personnel responded promptly and foiled the assault.

An intense exchange of fire between police and the attackers continued for some time, leaving one terrorist dead and several others injured. The wounded attackers were taken away by their accomplices under the cover of darkness.

Following the incident, Bannu District Police Officer (DPO) Yasir Afridi, along with Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Arshad Khan and teams from the Rapid Response Force and Quick Response Force, reached the scene immediately. They cordoned off the area and initiated a search operation.

Police also recovered blood traces from multiple locations, indicating further casualties among the terrorists.

During the attack, a constable sustained minor injuries and was shifted to a hospital, where he was reported to be out of danger.

Police recovered weapons and other equipment from the site, including magazines, hand grenades, bandoliers and other material.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General (IG) Zulfiqar Hameed praised the performance of the Bannu Police for their successful operation and announced cash rewards and commendation certificates.

Meanwhile, Bannu Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sajjad Khan reaffirmed that the police will continue to stand like an “iron wall” against all forms of terrorism.

Bannu district has been the scene of repeated security incidents in recent months, with both civilians and local security forces coming under attack amid a broader surge in militant violence.

Days ago, five workers of the National Radio Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) were abducted by unidentified armed men while they were working on a project.

On Sunday, a police head constable and his five-year-old daughter were injured when unidentified motorcyclists opened fire near Bannu’s Shahdev area. The same day, the bomb disposal squad defused an improvised explosive device (IED) in the jurisdiction of Kakki police station, averting a major tragedy.

Violence in Bannu has included attacks on police and jirga members, prompting targeted operations by police and security forces in various localities to disrupt militant networks.

On April 19, a terrorist and an alleged suicide bomber were killed by security forces during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Bannu. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the terrorist was the “main handler” of a suicide bomber who resulted in the martyrdom of Lt Col Gul Faraz during an IBO in Bannu on February 21.