A deputy superintendent of police (DSP) and a constable were martyred on Friday night when unknown attackers opened fire on their vehicle in Lakki Marwat, an official said on Saturday.

DSP Gul Muhammad and Constable Nadeem Gul had set up a temporary checkpoint at the Manjiwala Chowk near the Indus Highway when unknown assailants opened fire on their vehicle, killing both, according to Bannu police spokesperson Bashir Khan.

The bodies were shifted to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in the Sarai Naurang district of Lakki Marwat.

That same night, in a separate incident in the Sara Darga district of Lakki Marwat, Constable Sanamat Khan was martyred when unknown assailants opened fire at him near his house. He was stationed in Miranshah, North Waziristan and had returned home on leave.

The assailants in both incidents are at large. An affiliate of the banned militant Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan group claimed responsibility for the attacks.

On Saturday morning, funeral prayers for the martyred police officials were held with official honours at Iqbal Shaheed Police Line in Bannu.

District Police Officer (DPO) Bannu Ziauddin Ahmed, DPO Lakki Marwat Taimur Khan, SP Operation Bannu Sanaullah and army officers laid flower wreaths on the coffins of the martyred and prayed for them.

DPO Ahmed praised the martyrs as being brave, dutiful and noble, adding that the Bannu police stand with the bereaved families in their hour of grief.

“We are proud of such young people who died fighting bravely,” he said.

“The blood of the martyrs will not go in vain,” DPO Ahmed said, adding that “terrorists will not demoralise us with cowardly acts.”

DPO Khan said police forces have, in the past, sacrificed their lives for the country, which the entire nation values.

KP CM condemns attack, announces financial assistance for families

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur strongly condemned the attacks and expressed his condolences to the families of the martyrs.

According to a press release from the CM’s office, the chief minister has instructed top police officials to take all necessary steps for the immediate arrest of those involved in the attack.

“Targeting police officials who work towards public safety is sad and condemnable,” CM Gandapur said, adding that the police have made eternal sacrifices for the protection of law and order in the province.

He noted that the bereaved families will not be abandoned in this hour and will be fully supported.

CM Gandapur announced financial assistance for the martyr’s families under a Shahada Package and instructed police officials to take steps towards timely payments.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also strongly condemned the attacks. He offered condolences to the families of martyrs DSP Gul Muhammad Khan, Constable Naseem Gul and other police officers. “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police has always stood like a wall against terrorism. Cowardly acts of terrorists cannot shake our resolve.”

The attacks are the latest in a series of incidents targeting police officials in KP.

On Tuesday, six policemen were injured when unknown miscreants attacked them in the Township area of Bannu.

In March, two traffic police constables were martyred when unknown motorcyclists opened fire on them in Darra Pezu town in Lakki Marwat.

ASI martyred in Bajaur blast: Rescue 1122

Later in the day, a statement from the Bajaur Rescue 1122 media coordinator said the department was about a bomb blast in Bajaur’s Mamund tehsil in which Assistant Sub-Inspector Bakhtzadeh was martyred while police officer Ehsanullah was injured.

The statement added that a medical team was dispatched to the spot and provided first aid to the injured before moving him to a hospital for treatment.

CM Gandapur condemned the incident, according to a statement from his office, and expressed regret over the loss of life.

He summoned a report from senior police officials and instructed that the culprits be arrested while the family of the martyr be provided aid and support.