PESHAWAR: A police official was martyred when unknown attackers opened fire on a police rider squad near a checkpoint in Regi Model Town area of the city late on Wednesday night.

An official at the Regi Model Town police station told Dawn that the incident took place late on Wednesday night when unidentified motorcyclists opened fire on a police rider squad near Subhan Sher checkpoint in the area.

The firing left mobile officer Raheemen Khan dead. Soon after the incident, the police launched a search operation in the area, but there was no confirmation of any arrest made so far.

The martyred cop’s funeral prayer was offered at Malik Saad Shaheed Police Lines, which was attended by Capital City Police Officer Mohammad Ijaz Khan and other police officials. Mr Khan said on the occasion they would make all efforts to arrest the attackers.

The Counter Terrorism Department registered an FIR and has started investigation.

Attacks on police have surged during the current year and according to police figures at least 63 cops have been martyred in targeted killings and other incidents of violence in the province during first seven months of the year.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2022