Five seriously injured people were hospitalized in Kohat and Peshawar for advanced medical treatment.
The dead and injured were immediately transferred to Hangu Civil Hospital after a mortar attack. PHOTO: FILE
HANGU:
At least six civilians were killed and 13 others injured when two mortar shells fired by terrorists hit a populated area during a police search operation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu district on Thursday, officials said.
According to police sources, a search operation was launched following reports of the presence of terrorists in the areas of Zargari and Do Ruddi Banda. As the police entered, the attackers opened fire using light and heavy weapons. During the exchange, two mortar shells fell on civilian homes, causing casualties.
Learn more: Famous cleric Muhammad Idrees killed in targeted attack in Charsadda
The dead and injured were immediately taken to Hangu Civil Hospital. Medical Superintendent Dr Haleemur Rehman confirmed that six bodies and 13 injured people had been brought to the facility. He added that five of the injured, who were in critical condition, were shifted to hospitals in Kohat and Peshawar for advanced medical treatment.
Police cordoned off the entire area and continued operations against the militants.
The attack sparked grief and anger among residents, who demanded increased security measures to protect civilian populations from the fallout of anti-militant operations.
