One militant killed, four injured in overnight attack on police post in Bannu

PESHAWA: At least one militant was killed and four others wounded when gunmen launched an overnight assault on a police post in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, police said on Wednesday.

The attack occurred around 1 am local time in Bannu district, a region bordering Afghanistan that has witnessed a resurgence in militant violence in recent years, with security forces frequently targeted in hit-and-run attacks.

“Terrorists launched an attack on the Mazanga police post in Bannu at around 1 am, which was repelled by police,” Amir Khan, media officer to the Regional Police Officer (RPO) Bannu, tol Arab News by phone. “One terrorist was killed and four others were injured.”

He said that one police officer sustained minor injuries in the ensuing gunbattle, while the attackers fled the scene following resistance from security personnel.

A heavy exchange of fire continued until early morning, after which security forces launched a search operation in the area, the official said.

Police recovered weapons and equipment from the site, including magazines, hand grenades, a bandolier and a ladder.

Reinforcements, led by District Police Officer Yasir Afridi along with Rapid Response Force and Quick Response Force units, were deployed to the area shortly after the attack.

The injured police officer, identified as Faridullah Khan, was shifted to a hospital for treatment.

In a statement, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police chief Zulfiqar Hameed praised the personnel for defending the post and announced cash rewards and commendation certificates for those involved.