Four Village Defence Committee members martyred, six terrorists killed in Swat operation
Four police personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), two assistant sub-inspectors and a constable, were martyred while eight terrorists were killed after the Khazeena Banda police checkpost in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu district came under attack on Wednesday.
According to police, the terrorists launched an assault on the checkpost, triggering an intense exchange of gunfire between the attackers and security personnel.
Police spokesperson Saqib said the vehicle of Hangu District Police Officer (DPO) Tariq Habib also came under fire during the operation. The vehicle sustained damage, but the DPO escaped unhurt.
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The spokesperson said the bodies of the four police personnel were recovered.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Provincial Information Minister Shafi Jan strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Hangu, paying tribute to the martyred police personnel and expressing solidarity with their families.
In a statement, Naqvi paid tribute to DSP Diyar Khan and the three police personnel.
“The martyred DSP and police personnel sacrificed their lives and foiled the nefarious designs of the khawarij,” he said.
He said the police responded promptly to the attack, killing eight terrorists and thwarting the assault.
“The K-P Police are on the front line in the war against terrorism, and I salute their unmatched sacrifices,” the interior minister said.
CM Afridi took notice of the attack and sought a report from the inspector general of police.
Paying tribute to the martyrs, he directed the authorities to ensure the provision of the best possible medical treatment to the injured.
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“The families of the martyrs will be provided every possible assistance,” the chief minister said.
He said the sacrifices rendered by the K-P Police in the fight against terrorism were unforgettable.
“The establishment of peace is our top priority, and we will not allow the sacrifices of the police force to go in vain,” Afridi said, adding that the entire nation was united against terrorism and terrorists would be brought to their logical end.
Kundi also condemned the attack and expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of the police personnel.
“The sacrifices of the martyrs are the nation’s asset, and terrorists will never succeed in their evil designs,” he said.
Kundi said the sacrifices of the police and security forces were a guarantee of lasting peace.
“The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with its security forces and police in the fight against terrorism,” he added.
Jan described the attack on the police checkpost as “an extremely cowardly act”.
“Terrorists will never succeed in their nefarious objectives,” he said, adding that the sacrifices of the brave officers and personnel of the K-P Police for the sake of peace would always be remembered.
“The provincial government shares the grief of the bereaved families in this difficult time,” he said, adding that the families of the martyrs would not be left alone and would receive every possible support from the government.
He also prayed for the forgiveness and elevated ranks of the martyrs and wished the injured personnel a speedy recovery.
Five martyred, six terrorists killed in Swat operation
Meanwhile, in Swat, one police personnel and four members of the Village Defence Committee (VDC) were martyred, while six terrorists were killed, as a joint search-and-strike operation conducted by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and K-P Police against terrorists linked to the banned Fitna al-Khawarij concluded in the upper areas of Swat, according to security officials.
Authorities said intense clashes erupted during the operation in the Shalkho Sar area, where police and security forces targeted terrorist hideouts. Several terrorists were also injured during the exchange of fire and were reportedly evacuated by their accomplices.
Among those martyred were Elite Force Constable Gulfam Khan and four members of the VDC: Umar Hayat, son of Muhammad Sher; Gul Zeb, son of Aqal Mand; Muhammad Karim, son of Syed Ajan; and Akhtar Zeb.
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All four VDC members belonged to the Shaland Danda area in the jurisdiction of Shah Dheri Police Station, Swat. Officials noted that Muhammad Karim had previously served as a VDC member and had played an active role in maintaining peace in the area.
The bodies of the fallen personnel were taken to a local hospital before being handed over to their families for burial after the completion of legal formalities.
The funeral prayers for Constable Khan were offered with full state honours at Police Lines Swat, and were attended by Malakand Commissioner Masood Ahmad, Malakand Regional Police Officer (RPO) Syed Fida Hassan Shah, Commander 6 Brigade Brigadier Amir Jamal, Swat DPO Muhammad Umar Khan, senior police and army officers, and members of civil society.
A police contingent presented a ceremonial salute to the fallen officer, while senior officials paid tribute to his courage, dedication and sacrifice in the line of duty.
The Malakand RPO described police martyrs as “the nation’s true heroes”, saying their sacrifices for peace and security would never be forgotten and would remain a proud chapter in the country’s history.
Following the funeral, Constable Khan’s body was transported to his native village in Kohat, where he was laid to rest.
Security authorities said surveillance and clearance operations continue in the area to ensure the complete restoration of peace and prevent any resurgence of militant activity. They reiterated their commitment to eliminating terrorist threats and safeguarding the region.
