Investigators recover vehicle parts; over 1,000kg of explosives obliterated police checkpoint
Rescue and search operations continue after terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the Fateh Khel police checkpoint in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district late Saturday night martyring 12 police personnel. PHOTO: EXPRESS
In a major breakthrough in the investigation into the deadly suicide attack on the Fatah Khel police checkpoint in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, authorities have revealed that the attackers used a loader rickshaw packed with explosives.
According to Bomb Disposal Squad officials, preliminary findings indicate that the vehicle contained between 1,000 and 1,500 kilograms of high explosive material, making the blast exceptionally powerful. The police checkpoint was completely obliterated in the attack.
Sources confirmed that various parts of the loader rickshaw, along with other crucial evidence, have been recovered from the scene and taken into custody for forensic analysis. Following the explosion, security has been further tightened in the area, and law enforcement agencies have expanded their investigation to track down those involved in planning and facilitating the attack.
Read: 15 policemen martyred, three injured in Bannu suicide attack on checkpoint
Senior police officers and Bomb Disposal Squad teams are meticulously examining all aspects of the incident. Authorities said modern technical and intelligence resources are being employed to identify and arrest the facilitators and masterminds behind the attack.
Meanwhile, a high alert has been declared in Bannu and surrounding areas following the Fatah Khel suicide attack. Surveillance and security measures have been significantly enhanced at sensitive locations, police stations and security checkpoints.
On the other hand, Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed made an emergency visit to Bannu district on Sunday, where he met senior police officers and frontline personnel.
The IGP summoned a complete report on last night’s terrorist attack and was briefed on the ongoing investigation and overall security situation. He was accompanied by Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah and the Additional IG CTD.
The provincial police chief met individually with field officers and constables, boosting their morale. Addressing the officers and personnel on the occasion, the K-P IGP stated that the Bannu police have always played a frontline role in the war against terrorism and rendered invaluable sacrifices.
“Whether it is the eradication of crime or operations against terrorists, Bannu police have always achieved successes,” he said. He further added, “Now that terrorists, unable to face the courage and bravery of the police, have resorted to cowardly tactics, we will also keep our preparations complete to bring them to their logical end.”
The provincial police chief declared, “Every drop of blood of the police martyrs will be avenged, and generations of terrorists will remember our response.”
A special Fatiha was offered for the martyrs, and a pledge was reaffirmed that every officer of the K-P police will remain the protector of the soil and the guarantor of public life and property until his last drop of blood.
Later, the IGP and Chief Secretary chaired a high-level meeting to review all details of the incident and examine proposals for future strategy. They issued directives to senior officers to further strengthen human intelligence, conduct a fresh security audit of police infrastructure, particularly police stations and checkposts, and make them impregnable.
