PESHAWAR: Security forces successfully thwarted a major terrorist attack on a police post in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district late Wednesday night, killing three militants and injuring nine others.
According to officials, heavily armed attackers launched a coordinated assault on the Khonia Khel Police Post in the Wazir sub-division, attempting to overrun the facility. A large group of militants reportedly tried to encircle the post, but alert police personnel responded swiftly, engaging the assailants in an intense exchange of fire.
The timely and effective response forced the attackers to retreat. On the instructions of Regional Police Officer (RPO) Bannu Sajjad Khan and District Police Officer (DPO) Yasir Afridi, additional police contingents, along with Quick Response Force (QRF) and Rapid Response Force (RRF) units, were rushed to the scene, further pressuring the militants to flee.
A police statement said three attackers were killed during the operation, including a militant commander identified as Umar Azam alias Khizmeti and another identified as Shahidullah. The identity of the third militant is yet to be confirmed. Nine other militants were injured, dealing what officials described as a significant setback to their network.
One police officer sustained minor injuries in the firefight but is said to be out of danger.
In what police termed retaliatory attempts, militants also tried to target the Ahmadzai Police Station and Fateh Khel Police Post the same night. Both attacks were foiled, and the assailants escaped.
RPO Sajjad Khan commended the courage and professionalism of the officers involved, announcing commendation certificates and cash rewards for their efforts. He reaffirmed that operations against anti-state elements would continue without discrimination.
Bannu has witnessed a spike in militant activity in recent months, with frequent attacks targeting civilians, police personnel and jirga members. In response, law enforcement agencies have intensified targeted operations across the district to dismantle militant networks.