• ISPR says terrorists drove explosives-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall; all five attackers killed after 12-hour operation
• Two cops targeted in Lakki Marwat; one terrorist killed in subsequent police action

LAKKI MARWAT: At least eight law enforcement and security personnel were martyred in separate terrorist attacks in Bannu and Lakki Marwat districts on Tuesday, which included an on the Bannu headquarters of the Federal Constabulary (FC).

According to ISPR, five terrorists from the Fitna-al-Khawarij — the term used by the state for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan — attacked the FC HQ and rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall.

The suicide blast resulted in the partial collapse of the perimeter wall and damage to adjacent civilian infrastructure inflicting injuries to three innocent civilians, the ISPR statement said.

It said that six brave soldiers, belonging to Federal Constabulary and Pakistan Army, were martyred in the line of duty.

According to Bannu Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan, the attack began in the early hours of Tuesday, when five terrorists entered the compound.

He said the teams of police and security forces rushed to the spot within minutes after the attack and launched a full-scale operation against terrorists at 5:15am, while roads leading to the FC lines were closed during the operation, which continued until the evening.

“The law enforcers confined the terrorists to a place where they could not do much damage,” the RPO said, adding that all terrorists were eliminated and sanitisation operation ensued.

The FC compound was finally cleared at 5:30pm, after a 12-hour-long operation, he said. Four policemen, six army men and seven FC soldiers sustained injuries during the exchange of fire, he said, adding that they were taken to hospital.

“An injured SHO of the cantonment police station was airlifted to Peshawar after being operated up­­­on at a local hospital,” the RPO said.

Two cops martyred

Separately, terrorists opened fire on two police officials, who were on their way to their place of duty on a motorbike in Lakki Marwat.

As a result, police constables Asad Khan and Samiullah were martyred on Begukhel Road, an official said.

“After the attack, a heavy contingent led by DPO Nazir Khan and SP Murad Khan launched a search in the area to track down terrorists,” the official said.

Backed by commandos from the counter-terrorism department (CTD), Al Burq and Elite Force and armoured personnel carriers, police also launched an offensive against terrorists in the Michenkhel, Wanda Amir, Nawerkhel and other adjacent localities simultaneously, the official said.

“The law enforcers were equipped with advanced weapons and drone technology to hunt out and neutralise militants,” he said.

During the operation in the Nawerkhel area, police came under attack and in the ensuing exchange of fire, a terrorist was killed, while a policeman sustained wounds, the official said.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2025