Dera Ismail Khan (Web Desk): Three policemen, including an assistant sub-inspector (ASI), were martyred on Wednesday when their patrol vehicle was hit by a powerful explosion in Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhaw (KP).
District police spokesperson Yaqoob Zulqarnain said the blast was triggered by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted in the Paniyala area, which falls under the Shaheed Nawab Khan police station.
He confirmed that ASI Gul Alam, Constable Rafiq and the mobile van’s driver, Sakhi Jan, lost their lives in the attack, while another constable, Azad Shah, escaped unhurt.
Zulqarnain added that the entire area was immediately sealed off as police began a search operation to locate the perpetrators.
According to him, officers are working to identify those behind the attack, and investigators are examining the incident from all angles.
Senior officials, including the Paniyala deputy superintendent of police, the station house officer (SHO) and the district police officer (DPO), reached the scene shortly after the explosion.
In a separate statement from the office of DI Khan DPO Sajjad Ahmad Sahibzada, the attack was carried out by “unidentified terrorists”.
Speaking to newsmen, the DPO denounced the incident as a cowardly act and vowed that such assaults would not weaken the morale of the police force.
Meanwhile, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi strongly condemned the incident, calling it a brutal and cowardly act.
He expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of the three policemen, paid tribute to their service and described them as true heroes of the nation.
The governor extended his condolences to their families and assured them of his full support. He said the sacrifices of the fallen officers would always be remembered and emphasised that the struggle for peace in the province would continue without compromise.
“Such attacks cannot shake the collective resolve of the people and state institutions, Governor Kundi said, stressing that KP remains united in its fight against terrorism.