LOWER DIR: Three police personnel received minor injuries when miscreants attacked with rockets a police post in Munda here in the wee hours on Monday.

Official sources said unknown militants fired three rockets on a police post at Akakhel Kumbar at about 1.15am.

The personnel retaliated the attack, and the exchange of fire continued for some time.

Three police officials identified as Adnan Ali, Khaista Zeb and Zaib Hassan sustained minor injuries.

The attackers fled the scene in the dark. Later, during a search operation 16 suspects were taken into custody.

Regional police officer Malakand division Mohammad Ijaz Khan and Lower Dir district police officer Abdul Rashid visited the post and appreciated the timely police response to the attack.

They also awarded certificates and cash prizes to seven police officials who did not let the militants succeed in their design. The post was also damaged partially.

The incident spread panic among the masses as it was the first such attack after a military offensive in 2009.

Last week, a soldier was martyred while two others were injured when militants from across the border attacked a post at Bin Shahi.

Maidan was once the stronghold of Taliban in early 2009.

Majority of the militants had fled the area when the Pakistan Army launched a military operation in April, 2009.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2020