A policeman and a civilian were martyred when terrorists attacked and looted a bank in Balochistan’s Panjgur area, according to police officials.

According to police sources, a clash erupted when terrorists attempted to raid a private bank in Panjgur city and police responded, triggering a gun battle.

Dara Khan, a constable with the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), was martyred, while another civilian was killed. A source added that two policemen were also injured in the gun battle, while the suspects fled the scene.

AFP, citing a police official, reported that Rs1 million had been stolen.

Panjgur SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police) Dost Muhammad Bugti told the media that the suspects arrived in four vehicles and that two bank raids were foiled after police responded.

“If police had not responded, then all five banks in the city would have been robbed,” he said.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti issued a statement praising the response by the police and CTD, lauding them for ensuring the “safety of the lives and property of the people with extraordinary bravery and professionalism”.

“I salute the courage, sense of duty and great sacrifice of martyred CTD constable Dara Khan during the operation,” CM Bugti was quoted as saying. “The sacrifices of brave sons like shaheed (martyred) Dara Khan will never be forgotten. The nation is indebted to the blood of these great martyrs.”

The Balochistan CM added that there is no place for criminals or terrorists in the province and vowed that the state would forcefully pursue anti-national elements.

“The sacrifices of the security forces for the establishment of law and order will never go in vain,” CM Bugti vowed.

On November 30, security forces killed at least three terrorists in retaliatory action after one of the attackers blew himself up at the main gate of the Frontier Corps (FC) headquarters in Balochistan’s Nokkundi, according to a statement issued by the spokesperson for FC Balochistan South.

Pakistan has witnessed an increase in terror activities, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, after the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended a ceasefire with the government in November 2022. With the end of the ceasefire, it had vowed to attack security forces, police, and personnel of law enforcement agencies.