A roadside bomb explosion on Thursday killed four police officers who were battling to protect a police station being attacked by Taliban militants in northwest Pakistan.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters early on Thursday engaged in heavy-weapons attack on a police station in Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, adjacent to Pakistan border with Afghanistan.
Senior local police official, Muhammad Ashfaq, was said to have narrated in a media interaction that four officers, including a deputy superintendent, were killed by a bomb as they rushed towards the fight in a “planned act of terrorism”.
The TTP was said to have, in a statement on Thursday, claimed responsibility for the attack, accusing Mohmand of “brutally” killing its fighters. The group noted that TTP had no casualties.
Senior local administration official, Tariqullah, was said to have disclosed that the bomb pierced the armoured personnel carrier that was carrying the officers around 3 kilometres (2 miles) from the police station.
Tariqullah added that five officers at the station, including the driver of the personnel carrier, were injured.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on Twitter lamented, the attack “has left my heart heavy with sorrow.
“Our police officers and soldiers have made unforgettable sacrifices in the war against terrorism.”
• AFP