Militants attack house of cop in Landikotal

LANDIKOTAL: Within a few weeks, suspected militants again targeted the residence of a police officer with an explosive device in Landikotal apparently over extortion demands, police officials said on Friday.

Azmat Wali Shinwari, additional station house officer (SHO), Landikotal Police Station, said that his house was attacked for the second time in recent weeks. “Earlier, unidentified assailants hurled a hand-grenade at my hujra, and now they planted an explosive device outside my home,” he said.

He said the explosion occurred around midnight and was heard wide and far. He said the blast did not cause any casualty.

Azmat Wali said that he was receiving threatening phone calls demanding Rs5 million in extortion and pressuring him to resign from his job. The official said his brother and nephew also received similar phone calls.

He said on January 16, militants targeted his residence by throwing a hand-grenade. Despite repeated threats and attacks, Azmat Wali vowed to continue serving as a police officer.

“I will not bow down before anyone and will continue in my job,” he said.

“I will not bow down before anyone and will continue in my job,” he said.