A paramilitary soldier receives medical treatment in an ambulance in Chaman. Photo: Reuters
QUETTA/PESHAWAR:
A fresh wave of terrorism hit parts of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Wednesday, leaving seven security personnel dead and several others injured in separate gun attacks, while security forces killed three terrorists during an operation in Lakki Marwat.
In Balochistan’s Chaman, three security personnel were killed and another injured when terrorists opened fire on their vehicle in Roghani area on the outskirts of the border town. Police said the officers were on a routine patrol when they were ambushed.
The attackers fled immediately after the assault, while the bodies and the injured official were transferred to the Chaman civil hospital. Authorities confirmed the injured official was in stable condition.
The police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to find those responsible. Officials noted that similar attacks had previously targeted security forces in and around Chaman.
In another incident in Bajaur district, four KP policemen were killed and two others injured when gunmen attacked an Ababeel police patrol in Nawa Kalay area of Khar tehsil.
According to police, the team was on a routine security patrol during Iftar time when the terrorists launched a sudden attack. Station House Officer (SHO) Gul Zada said the police came under intense fire, leaving four people dead on the spot.
He added that the two injured officials were shifted to Khar district headquarters hospital for treatment. Security has since been increased in the area, and a search operation is underway to apprehend the attackers.
In Lakki Marwat district of KP, security forces clashed with terrorists in Zariwal Sarband area, killing at least three people in an exchange of fire. Officials said one of those killed was Shakir, a commander of the banned group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and a resident of Tajazai.
Sources said Shakir was wanted by the Anti-Terrorism Department (CTD) in five cases, including facilitating suicide attacks. Authorities described the encounter as part of an ongoing operation against terrorism in the region, adding that further investigations were underway.
“Security forces responded effectively and eliminated key militant elements during the operation,” an official said, highlighting continued efforts to curb the menace rocking the province.
(COURTESY OF OUR DERA CORRESPONDENT ISMAIL KHAN)
