LAKKI MARWAT: A militant attack was repulsed on Shaheed Haibat Ali Khan police station in Darra Pezu town of Lakki Marwat district on Sunday night.

A police official a group of militants armed with automatic weapons attacked the police station building located in a congested area from two sides. He said the assailants wanted to take over the building. “The policemen responded quickly and forced the militants to flee,” he maintained.

It was the third attack on police installations in Bannu division during last one week.

Police had repulsed attacks on police posts in Lakki city and Bannu.

Lakki Marwat district police officer Taimur Khan appreciated the cops for their quick action against militants and rewarded them with commendation certificates and cash prizes at a ceremony held at the police lines.

The Pezu town of Lakki Marwat has witnessed a surge in militant attacks and other crimes in the recent past.

Two truck drivers lost their lives in gun attacks in the mountainous terrain of the town on Feb 28 and March 30.

In another incident last month, a guard was killed and several others were taken hostages and vehicles burnt when militants attacked a cement factory in the town.

In March, two traffic policemen were martyred when unknown motorcyclists opened fire on them in Pezu Bazaar.

POLIO CAMPAIGN: Over 1,300 policemen have been deployed to guard vaccinators during a five-day anti-polio drive launched in Bakkakhel and Wazir subdivisions of Bannu district on Monday.

An official said a foolproof security plan had been devised on the directives of district police officer Ziauddin Ahmed to provide protection to polio teams.

He said temporary checkpoints had been established on the roads leading to the two subdivisions to check suspected individuals and motorists.

The official said the sub-divisional police officers and station house officers had been directed to ensure their presence in the field and keep close liaison with policemen on polio duty and health authorities for smooth and peaceful conduct of the drive.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2024