Policeman, soldier martyred in Peshawar, South Waziristan

Published August 2, 2021
Pakistani soldiers cordon off a street leading to Christian colony following an attack by suicide bombers on the outskirts of Peshawar on September 2, 2016. — AFP/File
Pakistani soldiers cordon off a street leading to Christian colony following an attack by suicide bombers on the outskirts of Peshawar on September 2, 2016. — AFP/File

PESHAWAR / SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: A policeman returning from polio duty was martyred in an attack on the outskirts of provincial capital while a cop was injured in South Waziristan tribal district when a police mobile guarding polio vaccinators hit a landmine on Sunday, police said.

Separately, a soldier was martyred and another injured in a militant attack on a check-post in the Zangara area of South Waziristan district.

In Peshawar, a policeman belonging to the Frontier Reserve Police who was returning from polio duty was targeted by unknown assailants in the Duadzai area on the outskirts of the city. Police official said the cop, identified as Asif, died on the spot.

A police statement quoted capital city police officer Abbas Ahsan as saying that police were investigating the incident form various angles, including targeted killing. He said police investigators had collected evidence from the scene of the attack and the area has been cordoned off for a search operation.

In the second incident, a police van on polio duty hit a landmine on Badar Bridge in Ladha subdivision of South Waziristan.

South Waziristan DPO Shaukat Ali told reporters that the police mobile was patrolling the area when the blast took place. He said a policeman was injured and the vehicle damaged.

No group has claimed responsibility for these attacks so far.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government launched a five-day polio vaccination drive in 18 districts of the province on Saturday to vaccinate around 3.7 million children against the crippling disease.

Police officials said that Naib Subedar Raja Tahir got injuries in the firing incident. He was shifted to a hospital in Scout Camp, Wana.

Following the attack security forces launched a search operation in the area. Sources said three suspects had been arrested during the operation. All link roads in the area have been closed for traffic.

Three soldiers have been martyred in attacks on security forces in North and South Waziristan since Friday. Two soldiers were martyred and nine others injured in different areas of the two districts on Friday and Saturday.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd , 2021

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...