Over 100 KP cops martyred in 228 attacks this year

PESHAWAR: The police force was targeted at least 228 times in different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the current year, it has been learnt.

Over 100 policemen were reported to have lost lives in these attacks, most of which were reported in two troubled southern divisions, Dera Ismail Khan and Bannu.

Besides, a total of 492 cases of terrorism were reported in the province during the current year.

The two southern divisions DI Khan and Bannu recorded an increase in the incidents of various kinds of terrorist attacks for the last couple of years.

Incidents were also reported in Peshawar, Khyber, Bajaur, Swat and other districts in recent weeks.

As per the statistics of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), 612 terrorists were arrested in various operations while 203 terrorists were killed during the current year.

Out of the held terrorists, 22 were carrying huge amounts as head money. The CTD arrested 14 of them while eight others were killed during the encounters.

Police officials said top commanders of Mohsin Qadir Group, Bhitttani Parakay Group, Tipu Gul and Zarar Group, Sajna Group, TTP Gandapur Group including Abdul Rahim, Bali Khiyara and others were killed by the CTD and police during the current year in different district. In addition, the other twenty groups were also destroyed.

Also, CTD foiled 104 terrorist attacks including two suicide attacks. It along with other agencies conducted 2232 intelligence-based operations in which arms and ammunition were also recovered from the terrorists that included over 510 kg of explosives, 104 hand grenades, 5 suicide jackets, 19 mortar shells, 49 Kalashnikovs, 4086 detonators, 22 dynamite, 19 RPG shells, 38 pistols