HANGU: A police constable was killed and four others were injured when police party deployed for polio team protection was attacked in Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday.
As per the police spokesperson Saqib Bangash, the attack took place near Chapri Waziran within the jurisdiction of Thall Police Station. The slain officer was identified as Israrul Haq, a resident of Shangla, who was undergoing an intermediate-level Police Training Course (PTC).
Kohat Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Irfan Tariq stated that the police team retaliated immediately, with “reports of two terrorists’ deaths as a result”.
However, terrorists took their accomplices’ bodies from the spot.
The injured police personnel were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment, and police launched a search operation in the area.
Authorities said the ongoing polio campaign in Hangu will continue as usual, adding that the terrorists cannot demoralise the nation.
Chief Minister of KP Sohail Afridi strongly condemned the attack and sought a report from the DIG. He described in the statement the targeting of personnel performing national duty as a “cowardly act,” and said that terrorists would not succeed in their malicious designs.“We share the grief of the family of the martyred officer and will provide all possible support,” he said.
He also directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured.
Official data reveals that a total of 96 people have been killed by alleged terrorists in KP since 2012, comprising 61 policemen, 27 health workers and five civilians.
Likewise, 170 people, including 124 policemen, 28 health workers and 21 civilians, have been wounded in attacks on polio teams.
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