LAKKI MARWAT/DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary Shahab Ali Shah, inspector general of police Zulfiqar Hameed and minister Pukhtoonyar Khan on Thursday inspected the houses and a mosque damaged in Tuesday’s twin suicide blasts in Bannu.

They also went to the houses of terror victims, sympathised with bereaved families, offered Fateha for the deceased, and prayed for the early recovery of the injured.

The chief secretary and police chief said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police were being equipped with modern and advanced weapons and gadgets to fight terrorists and criminals more effectively.

During a visit to the Iqbal Shaheed Police Lines, they declared the police officials’ welfare a priority and praised the residents of Bannu district for standing with police and other law-enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism.

Hameed, chief secy inspect Bannu houses, mosque damaged in blasts

A police contingent presented a guard of honour to the government functionaries, who also visited the monument of martyrs and placed wreaths there.

Regional police officer Imran Shahid and DPO Ziauddin Ahmad were also present.

The chief secretary along with IGP and provincial minister inaugurated a newly-built rest house at the police lines. The previous rest house was destroyed during a terrorist attack last year.

The officials checked security arrangements at the police lines and inspected the command and control centre.

Regional police officer Syed Ashfaq Anwar, district police officer Sajad Ahmad Sahibzada and other senior officials were also present.

The IGP acknowledged the sacrifices of residents in the war against terrorism and said that those sacrifices would not go to waste.

He said that the province’s police, particularly officials from Bannu region, were a symbol of bravery as they were playing a “frontline role” in an anti-terror fight.

The police chief along with minister Pukhtoonyar Khan and chief secretary Shahab Ali Shah also visited the Ejaz Shaheed Police Lines in Dera Ismail Khan.

Regional police officer Syed Ashfaq Anwar and district police officer Sajjad Ahmed Sahibzada were also present.

Addressing a police darbar, theIGP praised the bravery and professionalism of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police, particularly the Dera Ismail Khan police, saying that the police officials have always performed their duties diligently under challenging circumstances, ensuring the protection of public life.

On the occasion, the police personnel highlighted their issues, especially regarding promotion. The IGP ordered their swift resolution and said the officials’ welfare was his top priority.

“All legitimate issues and concerns will be addressed on priority,” he said.

The police chief also said that measures would be taken without delay to improve law and order in the region.

He announced the early establishment of more police stations and checkposts.

The IGP said that the establishment of new stations would not only enhance the police’s capacity but also provide better services to the people.

Chief secretary Shahab Ali Shah lauded the performance of the Dera Ismail Khan police and said that the provincial government was committed to providing all possible resources to the police to enable them to perform their duties more effectively.

Also, both the chief secretary and IGP chaired a high-level meeting at the Dera Police Club about the elimination of terrorism and restoration of law and order.

Officials briefed them on the current security situation, crime rate and police’s performance in the region.

The chief secretary and chief secretary directed police to take all possible measures to ensure protection of public life and property, and utilise all their resources for maintaining peace in the region.

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2025