LAKKI MARWAT: Police averted a possible militant attack on a police post in Shahtora Takhtikhel area of Naurang town in Lakki Marwat district late Tuesday night.

A police official said that the personnel deployed at the post were fully alert and they opened fire when they noticed the movements of suspected militants through night vision goggles.

He said the quick action by the police left the militants with no option other than to flee the area. “Before launching an attack on police installations, the militants would first take position and then try to breach the police station or police post by using light and heavy weapons,” he added.

The official said the law enforcers deployed at the police post in Shahtora Takhtikhel police post foiled the possible terror bid before the assailants could launch their attack. After hearing gunshots, local residents also came out of their houses to assist policemen.

Police and area people launched a search for the suspected militants in the area but there were no reports about any immediate arrests.

Meanwhile, the police on Wednesday claimed to have arrested a facilitator of hardened criminals in Shagai area of Lakki Marwat and seized arms and ammunition from him.

Acting on a tip-off about the presence of proclaimed offenders, a police party of Bargai police station raided a suspected hideout in the rural locality, a police official said.

He said the POs including Hanifullah, Anaurullah and Sher Wali wanted by police in murder cases had left the place before police raided it.

However, the cops overpowered a facilitator of the wanted men identified as Momin Khan and recovered an AK 47 assault rifle and ammunition from him, he maintained.

The official said the arrested suspect who had been shifted to the police station provided shelter, food and other assistance to the criminals. Police registered a case under relevant sections of law and began investigation, he added.

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2024