PESHAWAR, July 5: Gunmen killed four policemen and injured two others in Mathani area on the outskirts of Peshawar early on Thursday morning. Two police constables were on a routine patrol in Jani Garhi locality on Kohat Road when a group of 20 armed men attacked them. A police pick-up reached the scene and a gunfight ensued.

Four policemen, identified as head constable Wasil Khan, Mohammed Iqbal, Hidayat Shah and driver Sher Afzal, died on the spot. Constables Akhtar Munir and Abid suffered injuries and were taken to the Lady Reading Hospital.

The assailants escaped under the cover of darkness and no arrests could be made.

It may be mentioned that Bannu’s Deputy Inspector-General police Abid Ali was shot dead by unknown persons on the same road in December last year.

The funeral of the four policemen held in the Police Lines was attended by senior officials. NWFP Inspector-General Police Mohammad Sharif Virk announced Rs500,000 and a residential plot as compensation to the heirs of each deceased. He also announced that the families of the victims would continue to receive salaries of the deceased personnel.