Cop martyred in Bannu attack

A police constable, Constable Saifullah Khan, lost his life in Bannu when unidentified gunmen attacked him in the Sorani area on Sunday morning, police authorities announced. Constable Khan, who resided in Surani, was en route to his home after completing his duties at the Mirzabet Shah Surani Township police station when he was targeted.

He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The attack was deemed a terrorist act, prompting a search operation to apprehend the assailants. The constable's funeral was held at Bannu Police Lines, with District Police Officer Bannu, senior officers, and members of the deceased officer's family in attendance.

A floral tribute was laid by the Deputy Police Officer, and a guard of honor was rendered by a police formation. The DPO affirmed the police's resolve to seek justice and combat terrorism relentlessly. Following the tragedy, heightened security measures were implemented in the region. This incident occurred two days after another constable was killed and another wounded during a terrorist assault on a police post in Bajaur district’s Barang tehsil.

In the past month, at least 14 individuals, comprising police personnel, were killed and 18 injured in a suicide attack on Swat’s Kabal police station. Additionally, a terrorist ambush on a police checkpost in Hangu on July 30 claimed nine lives. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has grappled with escalating security threats, with the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies reporting a 105 percent surge in terrorism-related fatalities in July, up from 75 in June, excluding merged districts.