Militants attack security checkpost in Pakistan, 9 policemen killed

At least nine policemen, including a senior officer, were killed and over two dozen others injured when militants attacked a checkpost in northwest Pakistan, police said on Thursday.

The attack late Wednesday on the Khazina Banda checkpost in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu district, bordering Afghanistan, also left 15 militants dead, police said.

No group or individual immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said that the checkpost was attacked by Fitna al Khawarij, a term the Government uses for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists. Following the attack on the police checkpost, reinforcements were dispatched to assist, he said. However, the vehicle carrying additional personnel also came under fire, he added. During the intense exchange of fire, nine policemen, including Deputy Superintendent of Police Diyar Khan, were killed while 28 others were injured, Hameed said. He added that 15 militants were killed while multiple others were injured due to the police’s response.

Speaking to Dawn, a senior police official also confirmed the number of casualties. He said that an exchange of fire broke out after the terrorists attacked the checkpost.