LAKKI MARWAT: Militant attacks on police in Lakki Marwat district on Monday led to street protests, with hundreds of police officials staging a demonstration in the Tajazai area.

The protesters, mostly in civvies, gathered at police lines in the District Headquarters Complex and condemned militant attacks and discussed the future course of action.

They later marched on the Lakki-Tajazai Road and staged a protest sit-in at the Lt Adnan Shaheed Chowk, popularly known as Tajazai Chowk, demanding peace.

The protesters blocked the busy Indus Highway, suspending traffic between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the country’s southern parts.

Say police should be empowered to eliminate armed groups

Member of the Provincial Assembly Johar Mohammad Khan, Marwat Bitanni Tehreek chairman Inamullah Khan, Abakhel Qaumi Jirga leader Naseer Turab and other political and social elders joined the demonstration to express solidarity with the policemen.

However, the protest organisers didn’t allow them to speak.

Police officials said the protest was meant to condemn target killings of their colleagues by militants.

They said they were tasked with protecting public life and property but considered themselves to be vulnerable.

The protesters demanded withdrawal of security forces from the district and empowerment of police to deal with militants and other armed groups.

They insisted that if given a free hand, the police were capable of eliminating militancy in three months.

Along with deputy commissioner Fahad Wazir and police officer Taimur Khan, Bannu regional police officer Imran Shahid and deputy police officer Ziauddin Ahmad met with the protesters and assured them of amicable resolution of their issues.

However, the protesters refused to reopen the highway and insisted they would stay put until their demands were met.

Two policemen were targeted in gun attacks on Sunday.

One attack was carried out in Mangatra Gandi Khankhel area near Serai Naurang town, injuring sub-inspector Motabar Khan and his cousin, Asfand Yar Khan.

Motabar Khan, an investigation officer at the Serai Gambila police station, died on the way to the tehsil headquarters hospital, according to an official.

In the other gun attack, head constable Safiullah and his brother, Naveedullah, were martyred near their house in Abakhel area.

Safiullah was part of a police family, with one of his brothers, Shafqatullah, serving as a sub-inspector, who acted as a station house officer in different areas.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2024