DERA ISMAIL KHAN:
At least four policemen were killed after terrorists rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the Fateh Khel police check post in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district on Saturday evening, triggering a massive explosion that completely destroyed the post and left several feared personnel trapped under the debris.
According to initial reports, terrorists belonging to the outlawed Khawarij network carried out the suicide attack by detonating a vehicle packed with explosives at the checkpoint.
The explosion was so powerful that its noise was heard in distant areas, while the blast also caused extensive damage to nearby houses and civilian structures.
Rescue operations continued amid fears that more personnel could remain buried under the rubble.
Meanwhile, security forces engaged in armed battles against terrorists in the region.
Hospital sources identified the martyred police officers as Rehmat Ayaz, driver Sohaib and constable Niaz Ali, while the injured included Feroz and Hayatullah.
Eyewitnesses said the police checkpoint was completely destroyed in the explosion, with several officers trapped under the collapsed structure.
Additionally, the roofs of several nearby houses also collapsed due to the intensity of the explosion.
Police sources said the bodies of 10 policemen were found at the check post and were being shifted to Bannu district headquarters hospital.
However, official confirmation of the total number of casualties was still awaited until this report was filed.
Authorities said rescue activities were severely hampered by darkness and the continuing threat of terrorist ambushes targeting police and rescue teams.
Security officials feared that terrorists would launch additional attacks against responders participating in relief operations.
Shortly after the attack, large contingents of police and security forces cordoned off the area and launched a mine clearance operation.
According to the latest information, intense exchanges of fire between security forces and terrorists continue.
At the same time, the authorities denied reports circulating on social networks according to which the Bannu cantonment had been the subject of a suicide attack, specifying that the attack specifically targeted the Fateh Khel police station.
