Investigators recover vehicle parts; more than 1,000 kg of explosives destroyed a police checkpoint
Rescue and search operations continue after terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into Fateh Khel police check post in Bannu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday evening, martyring 12 policemen. PHOTO: EXPRESS
In a major breakthrough in the investigation into the deadly suicide attack on the Fatah Khel police checkpoint in Bannu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa state, authorities revealed that the attackers used a rickshaw loaded with explosives.
According to Bomb Disposal Squad officials, preliminary findings indicate the vehicle contained between 1,000 and 1,500 kilograms of powerful explosive material, making the blast exceptionally powerful. The police checkpoint was completely destroyed in the attack.
Sources confirmed that various parts of the loader rickshaw, along with other crucial evidence, were recovered from the scene and taken into custody for forensic analysis. Following the explosion, security was further increased in the area and law enforcement expanded its investigation to track down those involved in planning and facilitating the attack.
Read: 15 police officers martyred and three injured in Bannu’s suicide attack against a checkpoint
Senior police officers and bomb disposal teams are meticulously examining all aspects of the incident. Authorities said modern technical and intelligence resources were being used to identify and arrest the facilitators and masterminds behind the attack.
Meanwhile, high alert has been declared in Bannu and its surrounding areas following the Fatah Khel suicide attack. Surveillance and security measures have been significantly strengthened at sensitive locations, police stations and security checkpoints.
On the other hand, Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed on Sunday paid an emergency visit to Bannu district, where he met senior police officers and frontline personnel.
The IGP has requested a full report on last night’s terrorist attack and has been briefed on the ongoing investigation and the overall security situation. He was accompanied by Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah and Additional IG CTD.
The provincial police chief met individually with the field officers and police officers, which boosted their morale. Addressing the officers and staff on the occasion, the KP IGP said that Bannu Police has always played a frontline role in the war against terrorism and has made invaluable sacrifices.
“Whether it is crime eradication or operations against terrorists, Bannu Police has always achieved success,” he said. He added: “Now that the terrorists, unable to cope with the courage and bravery of the police, have resorted to cowardly tactics, we will also continue to carry out our preparations to bring them to their logical end. »
The provincial police chief said: “Every drop of blood of the police martyrs will be avenged and generations of terrorists will remember our response. »
A special Fatiha was offered to the martyrs and the pledge was reaffirmed that every KP Police officer will remain the protector of the soil and guarantor of life and public property till his last drop of blood.
Later, the IGP and the chief secretary chaired a high-level meeting to review all details of the incident and consider proposals for future strategy. They gave directives to senior officers to further strengthen human intelligence, conduct a fresh security audit of police infrastructure, including police stations and check posts, and make them impregnable.
