BANNU: At least 15 police personnel were martyred on Saturday night in a suicide attack targeting the Fateh Khel police post in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district.
According to officials, the terrorists carried out the assault by ramming an explosives-laden vehicle into the police post.
Regional Police Officer (RPO) Bannu Sajjad Khan said 18 police personnel were present at the checkpoint when the attack occurred. Of them, 15 embraced martyrdom while three others sustained injuries.
Police officials stated that after the massive explosion, militants launched a coordinated assault on the post from multiple directions while opening heavy gunfire.
Several explosions were heard throughout the area, triggering panic and fear among local residents.
A senior administrative official in Bannu told AFP, on condition of anonymity, that the attackers used quadcopters along with heavy weaponry during the assault.
Sources said communication with the Fateh Khel police post was temporarily lost immediately after the attack.
The powerful blast completely destroyed the police post, while an armoured vehicle stationed there was also destroyed.
The intensity of the explosion caused severe damage to nearby buildings as well.
Following the attack, authorities declared an emergency in local hospitals to deal with the casualties.
Bannu police, under the leadership of RPO Sajjad Khan, launched a large-scale operation after the attack, while security forces cordoned off the area.
Police also heightened security across the city and established additional checkpoints to prevent any further incidents.
Local residents also came forward to support law enforcement personnel following the attack.
Rescue 1122 teams completed the rescue operation at the site on Sunday morning.
“The rescue operation has been completed. Fifteen bodies and three injured were recovered from the debris,” Rescue 1122 officials confirmed.
Bannu district has witnessed repeated security incidents in recent months, with civilians and security personnel increasingly coming under attack amid a wider rise in militant violence.
The violence in the district has included attacks on police personnel and jirga members, prompting targeted operations by police and security forces in various areas to dismantle militant networks.