LAKKI MARWAT/SWAT: Two police officials were martyred in terrorist attacks in Lakki Marwat and Bannu districts on Friday.

Officials told Dawn that two armed men riding a motorcyclist targeted lower head constable of the Frontier Reserve Police Hashim Khan in the Serai Naurang town of Lakki Marwat.

They said the policeman lost life in the attack, while the gunmen fled.

Officials said the body was taken to the tehsil headquarters hospital before being shifted to the police lines in the District Headquarters Complex Tajazai for funeral prayer.

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Bannu regional police officer Imran Shahid, deputy commissioner Zeeshan Abdullah, district police officer Mohammad Jawad Ishaq, SP (investigation) Murad Wazir, additional assistant commissioner Azmat Ali Khan, local elders and the deceased’s relatives attended the funeral prayer.

A police contingent presented a final salute to their fallen comrade while floral wreaths were placed on his coffin by the officials. The RPO met the deceased’s family members, paid tribute to him for sacrificing his life on duty, and promised early arrest of culprits.

The cop was later laid to rest at a graveyard in Naserkhel area with full official honour.

After the attack, a heavy police contingent reached the forest along Kurram River in the Naserkhel and began a search for attackers, according to an official.

He said the policemen, who were assisted by armoured personnel carrier vehicles, destroyed hideouts of terrorists in the forest.

In Bannu, police constable Nasrullah embraced martyrdom when gunmen attacked him in the Dray Khuley area, officials said.

They said the martyred policeman’s minor son was injured in the attack. The officials said the cop was posted to the investigation wing of Bannu police.

They said the body and the injured were transported to the district headquarters hospital, while the police had launched a search for attackers in the area.

Meanwhile, a police constable was martyred and three personnel suffered injuries during an exchange of fire between police and criminals in the Fizagat area of Swat early on Friday.

Moin Ali, a spokesperson for Swat’s district police officer, said the police launched an intelligence-led operation in the mountainous Fizagat area against a criminal involved in the murder of Manglawar police station SHO Rahim Khan.

He said acting on a tip-off, the police arrived at the house of the suspect, who opened indiscriminate fire, killing constable Niaz Mohammad and injuring ASI Amjad Iqbal and constables Mohammad Hussain and Sarfaraz.

The spokesperson added that additional police units immediately surrounded the house. He said the ensuing exchange of fire led to the killing of the wanted criminal, Ahmad Zaib.

The injured personnel were shifted to the Saidu Sharif hospital, where doctors declared their condition to be stable. Constable Niaz Mohammad was a resident of Islampur.

A large police contingent launched an investigation into the incident.

Meanwhile, the funeral prayer for constable Niaz Mohammad was attended by Malakand regional police officer Sher Akbar and Swat district police officer Nasir Mehmood.

The funeral was held at Javed Iqbal Shaheed Police Lines in Kabal with full state honours. A police contingent presented a salute to the deceased, while Fateha was offered for him. The RPO and DPO laid wreaths at the coffin. The body was later sent to the cop’s native village Islampur under official protocol, where he will be laid to rest with full state honours.

RPO Sher Akbar visited the Central Hospital Saidu Sharif to inquire after ASI Amjad Iqbal and constables Mohammad Hussain and Sarfaraz, who were injured in the action against those involved in the murder of inspector Rahim Khan.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2025