Policeman martyred, FC officer injured in gun attack on polio team in KP's Tank district

Published December 11, 2021
A photo of the casket of the policeman who was martyred in a gun attack on a polio team in Tank district on Saturday. — Photo by author
A photo of the casket of the policeman who was martyred in a gun attack on a polio team in Tank district on Saturday. — Photo by author

A policeman was martyred and an officer of frontier constabulary (FC) injured in a gun attack on a polio team in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Tank district on Saturday, an official confirmed.

Tank District Police Officer (DPO) Sajjad Ahmed told Dawn.com that police and FC personnel were guarding the polio teams in the Chadrar area situated on main Wana Road when gunmen opened fire.

"The gunmen, who were on a motorbike, targeted police personnel guarding the [polio] team," the DPO said, adding that Havaldar Iqbal died of bullet wounds and FC officer Ritaj Khan was injured.

He said the gunmen managed to escape after the crime.

Following the attack, police and other security personnel reached the area and launched a search operation to catch the assailants, DPO Ahmed said.

He said the injured FC officer was transferred to District Headquarters Hospital Tank, while the funeral of the deceased policeman was held at police headquarters.

The DPO said polio team members were unhurt and their security was increased after the attack, adding that police and Counter Terrorism Department have launched an investigation.

The banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement issued by its spokesman Mohammad Khurasani.

If true, it would mark the TTP's first attack since the expiry of a month-long ceasefire.

The DPO, however, said that he was unable to comment on the TTP's claim.


Additional input from The Associated Press.

Opinion

Editorial

China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...
United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.