BANNU: Police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) killed three terrorists who attempted to attack a police checkpost in Bannu late Friday night, according to an official statement issued on Saturday.
The police said the terrorists, affiliated with Fitna-al-Khawarij — a term used by the state for militants of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — tried to target the Mazanga checkpost using a rickshaw loaded with explosives.
When police officials signaled the rickshaw to stop after noticing suspicious movement, the attackers tried to speed away. Police opened fire, causing the rickshaw to explode, killing all three terrorists on the spot. No police personnel were injured, though nearby houses suffered minor damage, authorities confirmed.
Bannu Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sajjad Khan and District Police Officer (DPO) Saleem Abbas Kalachi praised the officers’ courageous and timely response, calling it “an exemplary act of duty, bravery, and professionalism.”
The DIG and DPO also announced cash rewards and certificates for the policemen stationed at the checkpoint, commending their commitment to protecting citizens’ lives and property.
The police reaffirmed their resolve to thwart terrorist activities and maintain peace across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist incidents in recent months, particularly in KP and Balochistan, following the breakdown of the TTP’s ceasefire agreement with the government in late 2022.
Just two days earlier, the military reported that 34 “India-backed” terrorists were killed during multiple security operations across KP over a span of three days.
