Two police officers martyred and several others injured in suicide attack at Bhakkar check post

Two policemen were martyred and several others injured after a suicide attack targeted an inter-provincial check post in Dajal area of ​​Bhakkar, Punjab on Tuesday night.

Confirming the incident, District Police Officer (DPO) Bhakkar Shehzad Rafiq Awan said security forces immediately cordoned off the area in Saddar jurisdiction and launched a search operation.

He said the explosion occurred around 6:54 p.m., when a suicide bomber detonated explosives near the checkpoint while officers were carrying out routine tasks.

He added that officers Faheem Abbas and Shahbaz Madni were seriously injured in the explosion and succumbed to their injuries later. Another policeman, Arshad, was also injured and shifted to the district headquarters (DHQ) hospital in Bhakkar for treatment.

Rafiq added that three civilians were also injured in the attack. They were identified as Ajab Ali and Zubair, both anti-polio workers, and Mohammad Hasnain, driver of a private high-speed vehicle. All the injured were admitted to DHQ Hospital, where they received medical attention.

The DPO said the Bomb Disposal Team and other investigating agencies were collecting evidence and a thorough investigation had been launched to bring those responsible to justice.

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He added that funeral prayers for the martyred officials will be offered with official honors and described the police force as a “strong shield against terrorism.”

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack on the police check post on the outskirts of Bhakkar and paid tribute to the officers for sacrificing their lives in the line of duty.

He praised their bravery and commitment to protecting citizens, expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayed that they would have strength and patience to bear the loss.

The Prime Minister also directed the authorities concerned to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured officer, anti-polio workers and bystanders injured in the incident.

President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the terrorist attack and expressed deep sorrow over the death of the police personnel.

He extended his condolences to the families of the martyrs and asked for patience and resilience for them, while conveying his best wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured.

“We will never allow the sacrifices of the police in the war against terrorism to go in vain. The government is determined to completely eradicate terrorism from the country,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in his message.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also denounced the attack, paid tribute to the martyred officers and offered his condolences to their families.

He said the police officers had “achieved the highest rank of martyrdom in the line of duty” and that their sacrifice would always be remembered.

Punjab Inspector General Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem said the officers had made the ultimate sacrifice in serving the country. He expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and ordered that the injured officer receive the best possible medical care.

“Punjab Police will not leave the martyrs’ families alone and their well-being remains our top priority. Every officer of Punjab Police represents a shield against terrorism,” the IGP said.