Militants on Wednesday attacked security forces in the northwest, killing four officers in gunfights that underscore the potent militant threat despite reported peace talks. Heavily armed militants attacked a police station in Dera Ismail Khan and killed two officers.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the pre-dawn assault. District Police Officer Suhail Khalid said the militants, who had arrived in three vehicles, fired rockets on the roadside police station in Daraban area at 4am. He said after firing the rockets, the militants surrounded the police station area and hurled hand grenades inside the building, killing a police officer. Another policeman succumbed to injuries later in hospital “There were around 10-12 militants, who came in vehicles and used grenades, rockets and firing during the attack. They fled in the same vehicles,” he said.
The DPO said at least four policemen, including Station House Officer Zulfikar, were injured. Police official Riaz Hussain, who was injured in the attack, said the fight continued for more than 40 minutes.“We suddenly heard a hand grenade blast, followed by the intense firing. We retaliated and fired back,” Hussain told AFP from his hospital bed, injured by a bullet in his right shoulder.
Responsibility: The TTP’s main spokesman, Ehsanullah Ehsan said, “We accept the responsibility for the attack on a police station in Dera Ismail Khan,” “We are not talking to the government and will not be part of any dialogue with the government.
