LAKKI MARWAT: Two terrorists were killed and a police constable embraced martyrdom in a gun battle in Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, police said on Monday.

District police spokesperson Qudratullah Khan said the gunfight erupted when police conducted a targeted operation in a forest near the Khundan area, bordering Bannu district.

He said that a large police contingent was dispatched to the area after local law enforcement authorities received credible intelligence reports that Fitna-al-Khawarij terrorists were hiding in the forest.

Fitna al Khawarij is a term that the state uses for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

“The exchange of fire continued for some time, resulting in the neutralisation and killing of two terrorists,” he maintained.

Qudratullah added that police constable Attiqur Rehman was also martyred in the exchange of fire.

The official said that several terrorists were injured in the clash but escaped with the help of their accomplices, taking advantage of the darkness and dense forest.

He identified one of the slain terrorists as Commander Amir Sohail alias Umar Khitab, and said he was wanted by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) for target killings, attacks on police and security forces, bomb blasts, and other terrorism-related incidents.

“A large-scale search operation by a heavy contingent of police and CTD commandos, backed by APCs, is underway in the area to arrest fleeing terrorists,” he added.

The funeral prayer of martyred constable was offered with full official honours at Police Lines, Lakki Marwat.

A large number of people attended the funeral prayer, including DPO Lakki Marwat Nazeer Khan, Deputy Commissioner Hamidullah Khan, SP Investigation Murad Khan, police officers, officials of the district administration, and police personnel.

On the occasion, officers laid floral wreaths on the coffin, and special prayers were offered for the elevation of the martyr’s rank.

Paying tribute to the martyr, DPO Nazeer Khan said that by sacrificing his life, he had set a supreme example of devotion to duty, bravery, and patriotism. He added that the martyr’s great sacrifice would always be remembered.

Grenade attack on school in Mohmand

In a separate incident, unknown assailants hurled a hand grenade at Ghazi Baig Mohmand Model School in the Haleemzai Tehsil of Mohmand district. The attack triggered panic in the area but caused no loss of life or property.

According to police, the grenade landed inside the school premises and exploded. Law enforcement agencies, including police and other security personnel, reached the scene shortly after the incident.

The area was cordoned off, and a search operation was launched to trace the attackers. Mohmand police officials said that efforts are underway to identify and apprehend those responsible, adding that an investigation into the incident has been initiated from multiple angles.