Cop martyred in 'terrorist' attack in KP's Bannu: police

A police constable was martyred in a terrorist attack in the Sorani area of Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Sunday morning. Unidentified armed assailants opened fire on Constable Saifullah Khan as he was returning home after completing his duty at the Mirzabet Shah Surani Township police post. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.

Police have classified the incident as an act of terrorism and have launched a search operation to apprehend the perpetrators. The funeral prayer for Constable Khan was held at the Bannu Police Lines with full official honors, attended by senior police officials, personnel, and his bereaved family. District Police Officer Bannu Captain (retired) Muhammad Furqan Bilal paid tribute to the martyred constable's sacrifice.

"The police remain determined to avenge the blood of their martyrs and will continue the fight against terrorism until the very end," DPO Bilal stated, emphasizing the force's resolve. Security has been heightened in the area following the attack.

This incident follows a pattern of escalating terrorist activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Just two days prior, another police officer was killed and one injured in an attack in Bajaur district. Earlier in August, a suicide bombing at Swat's Kabal police station resulted in the deaths of at least 14 people, including police officials, and injured at least 18 others. On July 30, a terrorist attack on a police checkpost in Hangu martyred nine policemen.

According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies' monthly security assessment, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (excluding the merged districts) recorded 154 terrorism-related deaths in July, a stark increase of 105 percent compared to the 75 deaths reported in June.

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The police remain determined to avenge the blood of their martyrs and will continue the fight against terrorism until the very end.