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LAHORE:
Two police officers were killed and four others injured when a suicide bomber attacked a checkpoint in Bhakkar district on Tuesday night, authorities confirmed.
Bhakkar District Police Officer (DPO) Shahzad Rafiq said the attack occurred near Dajil check post, where police were carrying out a search operation to maintain law and order. According to him, the suicide bomber approached the checkpoint and detonated himself during the operation.
“The suicide bomber approached the checkpoint and blew himself up, while we were carrying out a search operation in the area to maintain law and order,” DPO Rafiq said.
The explosion claimed the lives of policemen Muhammad Faheem and Muhammad Shehbaz, while another officer, Arshad, was injured.
Three bystanders were also injured in the explosion, although their identities have not yet been confirmed. All the injured were shifted to the district central hospital, the DPO added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terror attack and expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of police personnel in the incident.
In a statement issued by the media wing of the Prime Minister’s Office, the prime minister expressed his condolences to the families of the martyred officers and prayed for the souls of the deceased. He also prayed for patience and strength for the grieving families during this difficult time.
The Prime Minister stated that the sacrifices made by the police in the war against terrorism will never be in vain. He reaffirmed that the government remains determined in its commitment to completely eradicate terrorism from the country.
Reiterating the State’s resolve, the Prime Minister said the fight against terrorism will continue until the menace is completely eliminated and lasting peace is restored.
In a statement, President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the terrorist attack. He expressed grief over the martyrdom of the police officers and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families. The president also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also condemned the assault on the police check post, paid tribute to the martyred officers and hailed their sacrifice in the line of duty.
He extended his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and ordered the authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured police officer and other injured people.
The attack came on the same day when six law enforcement officials, including a deputy superintendent of police, were martyred in another terror attack on a police vehicle in Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Dajil checkpoint is situated along the border between Dera Ismail Khan and Bhakkar, an area that has witnessed increased security concerns in recent years.
