KURRAM: Two police personnel were wounded after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near a police vehicle, followed by an exchange of fire between suspected militants and the police on Saturday.

Station House Officer Sadda Khalil Khan reported that a police van was patrolling in the area when the IED went off. He added that two police personnel, Habibur Rehman and Zakir Masozai, sustained injuries.

“After the explosion, the police started rescuing the injured police personnel and that was when the militants attacked the police with the latest weapons,” Mr Khan told Dawn, adding that District Police Officer Kurram Muhammad Imran and Commandant Kurram Militia Taimur Sultan reached the spot with fresh contingents and the militants escaped following the exchange of fire.

District Health Officer Doctor Mujahid Hussain said the condition of both the injured were stable.

Former federal minister Sajid Hussain Tori stated that militant attacks had surged during the previous month, creating a sense of fear in the area due to the movement of militants. He added that locals should cooperate with the police and security forces to maintain the law and order situation in the area.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2023