A police constable was martyred and two other personnel were injured when terrorists launched a rocket attack on a police vehicle in the Kangar Jan Bahadur area of Bannu on Friday, officials said.
According to District Police Officer Yasir Afridi, the attack took place when a police vehicle from the Fateh Khel checkpoint was returning to Police Lines. The vehicle was targeted with a rocket, followed by heavy gunfire and explosions in the area.
Constable Raza Ali Shah, who was driving the vehicle, embraced martyrdom in the attack. Two injured officers were immediately shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital for medical treatment.
Following the incident, Miryan Road was closed to traffic as security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search and combing operation to track down the attackers.
The funeral prayer of Constable Raza Ali Shah was later offered with full official honours at Iqbal Shaheed Police Lines. Senior civil and military officials, police officers and family members attended the ceremony. A guard of honour was presented and floral wreaths were laid on the coffin.
Senior police officials paid tribute to the martyred officer, calling him a brave and dedicated member of the force who sacrificed his life for peace and stability. They vowed that operations against terrorists would continue until militancy is eliminated.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has witnessed a rise in terrorist incidents in recent months, particularly after the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan. Militants have frequently targeted police and security personnel in the province.
In recent weeks, several other attacks have claimed the lives of police officials in Bannu and surrounding areas. Last year, the province recorded the highest number of terrorist incidents in the country, highlighting ongoing security challenges in the region.
