Nine policemen, including Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Diyar Khan, were martyred and 28 others, including DSP Mujahid Hussain, were injured after terrorists attacked the Khazina Banda police check post in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu district late on Wednesday, while police killed 15 terrorists and wounded several others in a retaliatory operation, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Inspector General (IG) Zulfiqar Hameed said.

According to the IG, terrorists attacked the Khazina Banda police check post with heavy weapons. Police personnel stationed at the post “fought bravely and mounted a strong defence” against the attack.

He said, “Additional police personnel, led by the SDPO City, were immediately dispatched to reinforce the check post”. However, the terrorists had already laid an ambush along the route and targeted the reinforcements, causing severe damage to the lead armoured personnel carrier (APC).

Despite what the IG described as challenging conditions, police officers and personnel “fought the enemy with exceptional bravery and professional skill”. He said, “15 terrorists were killed and several others injured in the retaliatory operation”.

The IG said DSP Diyar Khan was martyred during the prolonged exchange of fire along with eight other police personnel, while 28 officers and personnel, including DSP Mujahid Hussain, sustained injuries.

Read: DSP among 4 cops martyred in terror attack on police checkpost in K-P’s Hangu

He added that the exchange of fire between the terrorists and police was continuing.

Paying tribute to the police personnel, Zulfiqar Hameed said, “The sons of the K-P police stood like rocks against the enemy under extremely difficult and nerve-racking circumstances and embraced martyrdom.”

He said recommendations would be made for the department’s highest honours for the martyred personnel and added that he would personally meet the families of the martyrs to offer condolences and pay tribute to the injured officers and personnel.

“The morale of the K-P police is high and its resolve is as firm as rock. This war to completely eliminate terrorists from every corner of the province will continue with full force and determination,” the IG said.