1 policeman martyred, 4 injured in attack in Police Lines area in Loralai
At least one policeman was martyred and four others injured in an attack in the Police Lines area in Balochistan’s Loralai on Wednesday.
According to Balochistan Inspector General of Police Mohsin Hassan Butt, three attackers wearing suicide jackets ambushed the main gate of the Police Lines area.
"Police and other law-enforcement agencies retaliated to the attack in a timely manner and killed the suicide bombers," the IG said, adding that the attack took place while policemen were busy in taking an examination.
In exchange of fire, one policeman lost his life while four others were injured. The injured policemen have been shifted to a hospital for medical attention.
According to reports from the site, the process of clearing the area has now begun and security has been beefed up in and around Loralai in the aftermath of the attack.
The Inter-Services Public Relations, Army's media wing, in a press release confirmed that three bombers were attempting to target Police Lines in Loralai.
"The suicide bombers were effectively singled out by the police at the main gate. One suicide bomber was killed by a police guard at the entry point while two others managed to get inside the premises," the press release said.
"FC and police QRF [quick response force] immediately reached the site and cordoned the area off. In exchange of fire one suicide bomber exploded himself and the other was killed by security forces. Police Head Constable Allah Nawaz was martyred in the exchange of fire," the ISPR said.
Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani condemned the attack and expressed condolences over the death of the policeman.
"The police force fought bravely against the terrorists. The swift and effective action taken by the police today shows that our security agencies are well prepared," the chief minister said.
Loralai has witnessed a rise in terror attacks in the past few months.On January 30, terrorists had attacked the a Police Recruitment Centre in the area, martyring nine policemen and injuring 21 people.
The gun-and-bomb attack was launched when several hundred candidates were taking a written recruitment test.
Earlier on January 1, terrorists had attacked the training centre of the Frontier Corps in the cantonment area of Loralai. Security forces had killed four attackers while four security personnel were martyred while resisting the armed men at the entrance of the training centre.