Two Policemen Martyred In Suicide Attack On Checkpost In Bhakkar |
Two policemen were martyred and several others injured after a suicide bomber targeted an inter-provincial checkpost in Dajal, Bhakkar, on Tuesday evening.
District Police Officer (DPO) Bhakkar, Shehzad Rafiq Awan, confirmed that the attack occurred at around 6:54 pm when officers were performing routine duties. Constables Muhammad Faheem Abbas and Muhammad Shehbaz Madni were critically injured and later succumbed to their wounds. Another officer, Arshad, along with three civilians, was wounded and admitted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Bhakkar. The civilians included two polio workers, Ajab Ali and Zubair, and Mohammad Hasnain, a private vehicle driver.
“The Bomb Disposal Squad and other investigative agencies have secured the area and begun a thorough investigation to identify those responsible,” said DPO Rafiq. Funeral prayers for the martyred officers will be held with official honours, highlighting the police force’s role as a “strong shield against terrorism.”
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack, praising the bravery and dedication of the officers. She directed authorities to provide the best possible medical care for the injured. President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed profound sorrow over the deaths and prayed for patience for the families of the martyrs.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif affirmed the government’s resolve to combat terrorism, stating, “We will never let the sacrifices of police in the war against terrorism go in vain.” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Punjab Police Inspector General Abdul Kareem echoed these sentiments, paying tribute to the officers and assuring full support for their families.
The Dajal checkpost, located near the border of Dera Ismail Khan and Bhakkar, remains under heightened security as authorities continue search operations in the area. This incident coincides with a separate attack in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where six law enforcement personnel were martyred, underscoring ongoing security challenges in the country.