Attack on Bannu Police Lines foiled

PESHAWAR: A major attack on the police headquarters in Bannu was foiled on Monday and all five assailants were killed during a four-hour operation.

Four policemen were also martyred in the attack on the Bannu Police Lines which also houses offices of senior cops. “Five attackers have been killed by the brave cops. Four policemen were also martyred,” Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Khan told The News. The terrorists were said to be clad in burqas and made their way into the Police Lines by hurling hand grenades. Two of the terrorists were killed at the main gate by the alert cops.

Police officials said three others continued firing from different places for around four hours. “All the attackers were gunned down by around 4 pm. The last one was firing shots from an office,” Superintendent of Police Waqar Ahmad told The News.

Another official said three policemen and a cook of the police force were martyred in the attack. “Police teams led by the Regional Police Officer Imran Shahid and district police officer along with officers of the Counter-Terrorism Department continued to fight bravely for around four hours before all the attackers were killed,” said an official.

Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur directed Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Khan, and Minister Pukhtun Yar to rush to Bannu to attend the funeral prayers for the fallen cops. The funeral prayers of the fallen policemen were offered later in the evening.