DERA GHAZI KHAN: Police foiled a terror attack by some 15 to 20 gunmen on a check post on the Punjab-KP border in Taunsa early on Wednesday which left seven personnel injured, one of them critical.

This was the third attack on the Jhangi check post over the past 15 months. A head constable had died while a constable was injured during the first strike on Jan 24, 2023. The second attack on Jan 23 last was thwarted with no casualties.

The regional police, which blamed the banned TTP for the first two attacks, said ‘unknown terrorists’ carried out the attack. Following an intelligence alert about a possible third attack, the regional police officer had visited the post and conducted an exercise to fight the terrorists. Additional personnel, necessary equipment and weapons had also been provided to the post personnel.

A Punjab police announcement said “terrorists of the banned organisation once again unsuccessfully attacked the inter-provincial Jhangi (Hazrat Umar Farooq) police check post established at the Punjab-KPK provincial boundary.

Seven personnel injured in hours-long shooting; it was third assault on Punjab-KP border post in 15 months

“The personnel fought bravely for three hours and repulsed the attack of terrorists once again. The terrorists wanted to seize the Jhangi police check post and take the posted staff hostage,” the announcement said.

It further said 15 to 20 terrorists took advantage of the darkness of the night to attack the post from different sides.

“The terrorists used modern weapons, including roc­ket launchers, hand grenades and laser light guns. Strong resistance by policemen forced terrorists to flee. Punjab police was on alert and will never let terrorists succeed in their nefarious intentions,” Inspector General of Punjab Police Dr Usman Anwar said as he visited the post.

He commended DGK Regional Police Officer Captain retired Sajjad and District Police Officer Ahmed Mohy­iddin for reaching the spot promptly with reinforcements after receiving information of the attack.

The IG said seven jawans were injured after fighting bravely. They were identified as ASI Imran, constables Muhammad Amir, Ashiq Zain, Rehmatullah, Sanaullah, Elite Force constable Tariq. Another Elite constable, Shahid Manzoor, was shifted to the Nishtar Hospital, Multan, in a critical condition.

Post in-charge Sub-Inspector Mohyiddin with his force defended the post well, the RPO told Dawn. IGP Dr Usman Anwar met officials posted at the check post and gave them cash awards of Rs50,000 each and Rs100,000 to each injured. In conversation with the media, the IGP said police morale would not be lowered by such cowardly actions. He said police would be equipped with modern weapons.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2024