MOHMAND: Two cops, including an additional station house officer (SHO), were martyred when Fitna al Khawarij terrorists attacked a police patrol in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Mohmand district on Thursday night, according to police.

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

A police statement said the attack occurred near the Warsak Lift Canal in the Machni area within the jurisdiction of Ekkaghund police station, where a police mobile patrol came under heavy gunfire from the armed terrorists.

It said Additional SHO Zaitullah and Elite Force constable Noor Zeb embraced martyrdom while responding to the onslaught. Meanwhile, the vehicle’s driver, Zahir, sustained serious injuries and was taken to Peshawar for further medical treatment after receiving initial care.

The statement said the personnel responded swiftly and effectively, forcing the attackers to retreat.

It added that according to verified official sources, several terrorists were reportedly killed during the exchange of fire. They also reportedly abandoned one M4 rifle, one Kalashnikov assault rifle, and three loaded magazines at the scene before escaping, it said.

Soon after the incident, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ekkaghund Circle Dilfaraz Khan, SHO Qasim Jan and additional police contingents reached the area, cordoned it off and launched a search and clearance operation. The statement said a manhunt was underway to apprehend the terrorists who fled.

According to the statement, Mohmand police reiterated their resolve to continue operations against Fitna al Khawarij terrorists until the threat was completely eliminated, stating that the sacrifices of the martyred personnel would not be allowed to go in vain.

Meanwhile, the martyred officials were laid to rest with full state honours at the Police Lines in Ghalanai early on Friday.

The funeral prayers were attended by Mohmand District Police Officer (DPO) Raza Mohammad, Mohmand Rifles Commandant Asim Mahmood, Member of the National Assembly Sajid Khan and other senior police and civil administration officials.