PESHAWAR: At least one militant was killed and four others wounded when gunmen launched an overnight assault on a police post in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police said on Wednesday.
The attack took place around 1:00 a.m. in Bannu district, a restive region bordering Afghanistan that has seen a resurgence of militant violence in recent years, with security forces frequently targeted in hit-and-run raids.
“Terrorists launched an attack on the Mazanga police post in Bannu at around 1:00 am, which was repelled by the police,” Amir Khan, media officer to the Regional Police Officer (RPO) Bannu, told Arab News over the phone. “One terrorist was killed and four others were injured.”
“Also, one police personnel was slightly injured in the ensuing gunbattle,” he added. “The militants fled the scene after resistance from the police.”
Khan said a heavy exchange of gunfire continued until early morning, after which security forces launched search operations in the area.
Police recovered weapons and equipment from the site, including magazines, hand grenades, a bandolier and a ladder, he said.
Reinforcements led by District Police Officer Yasir Afridi, along with Rapid Response Force and Quick Response Force units, were deployed to the area shortly after the attack.
A police officer, identified as Faridullah Khan, sustained minor injuries during the exchange of fire and was shifted to a hospital for treatment, the official said.
In a statement, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police chief Zulfiqar Hameed praised the officers for defending the post and announced cash rewards and commendation certificates for those involved.
