Lakki Marwat police spokesperson Shahid Hameed told Dawn.com that terrorists opened fire at the Saddar police station in the early hours today. Resultantly, an exchange of fire took place between the police and the terrorists.
During the gunfight, six policemen were injured, he said. The wounded men, identified as Head Constable Farooq Shah and constables Amanatullah, Asghar, Sardar Ali and Arif have been moved to the Lakki City Hospital.
A police statement also revealed that the militants were equipped with advanced and heavy weaponry. “The police were on alert and the attackers had to flee when the police returned fire.”
The terrorists fled while taking advantage of the darkness, it added.
Later, funerals of the slain policemen were offered at the Police Line, which was attended by senior police officers.
The outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed the attack in a statement.
Former chief of the National Counter Terrorism Authority, Ihsan Ghani, said that the police are a “soft target” for armed groups.
Ghani, who has also served as chief of the KP police, said that police routinely come under attack as they are on the streets and perform duties anywhere. “We are now alone in the war on terrorism,” he added.
Condemning the incident, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the sacrifices of police officers in the war against terrorism were unforgettable and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured persons.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz paid homage to the martyred DSP and policemen in a statement issued by the prime minister’s office.
“Police are performing magnificent duties against the terrorist as the first line of defence. Elimination of terrorism is a must for Pakistan’s survival and development,” PM Shehbaz said.
The prime minister extended condolences to the bereaved families. He also said that the police at Saddar station bravely countered the terrorist attack.
