DERA ISMAIL KHAN:
At least four police personnel were martyred after terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the Fateh Khel police checkpoint in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district late Saturday night, triggering a massive blast that completely destroyed the post and left several personnel feared trapped under the debris.
According to initial reports, terrorists belonging to the outlawed Khawarij network carried out the suicide-style assault by detonating a vehicle packed with explosives at the checkpoint.
The explosion was so powerful that its sound was heard across distant areas, while the blast also caused extensive damage to nearby civilian homes and structures.
Rescue operations continued amid fears that more personnel remained buried under the rubble.
Meanwhile, security forces engaged terrorists in an ongoing gun battle in the area.
Hospital sources identified the martyred policemen as Rehmat Ayaz, driver Sohaib and Constable Niaz Ali, while the injured included Feroz and Hayatullah.
Eyewitnesses said the police checkpoint was completely destroyed in the explosion, with several officers trapped beneath the collapsed structure.
Moreover, roofs of several nearby houses also caved in due to the intensity of the blast.
Police sources said the bodies of 10 police personnel had been recovered from the checkpoint and were being shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Bannu.
However, official confirmation regarding the total number of casualties was still awaited till the filing of this report.
Authorities said rescue activities were being severely hampered by darkness and the continuing threat of ambush attacks by terrorists targeting incoming police and rescue teams.
Security officials feared terrorists could launch follow-up attacks on responders participating in relief efforts.
Soon after the attack, heavy contingents of police and security forces cordoned off the area and launched a clearance operation.
According to the latest reports, intense exchange of fire between security forces and terrorist was still ongoing.
Meanwhile, authorities denied reports circulating on social media claiming that Bannu Cantonment had come under a suicide attack, clarifying that the assault specifically targeted the Fateh Khel police station.
