LAKKI MARWAT / BANNU: Four police personnel, including three traffic cops were martyred in firing by unknown armed men in Khyber Pakhtun­khwa’s Lakki Marwat and Bannu districts on Sunday.

Lakki police spokesperson Qudratullah said that three traffic policemen were on duty near the Dil Begu Khel area when unidentified gunmen, riding on a motorcycle, opened fire on them.

Ticketing officer in-charge Jalal Khan, Azizullah and Abdullah died on the spot.

The bodies of the martyred policemen were later moved to Naurang Hospital, while police launched a search operation in the area to nab the attackers.

Funeral prayers of the martyred traffic policemen were later offered at the Lakki Marwat Police Lines. Police and district administration officers, bereaved family members and residents of the area attended the prayers.

Separately, in Bannu, a policeman was martyred in firing by unidentified attac­kers in the Kashfi Khel area of the district, spokesperson for the Bannu DPO, Asif Hasan, told Dawn.

He said that martyred constable Rashid Khan was leaving his home for work on Sunday morning when some armed assailants, who were on a motorcycle, opened fire, killing him on the spot.

After the incident, a large contingent of police reached the scene, cordoned off the area, and collected evidence, the spokesperson said, adding that a search operation has been launched in the area to arrest the attackers.

President Asif Ali Zar­dari, PM Shehbaz Sharif and KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi condemned the attacks.

While President Zardari and PM Shehbaz paid rich tribute to their sacrifices in the line of duty, the KP CM vowed that the country’s enemies would not be allowed to succeed in their nefarious designs.

In a statement, the president conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and saluted the supreme sacrifices of the martyred police officials. He said the services and sacrifices of the police and security forces for the maintenance of peace and public order were a source of pride for the nation.

PM Shehbaz, meanwhile, said police had always played a frontline role in ensuring peace and security, and reaffirmed the governments resolve to continue supporting law enforcement agencies in their efforts to safeguard citizens.

“Sacrifices of the martyred policemen will not go in vain,” CM Afridi said in the statement.

He said that policemen were on the frontline in the fight against militancy and they had been rendering great sacrifices. He said the attackers would be brought to justice and the provincial government stood with the police. He extended condolences to members of bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2026