Four police personnel, including DSP, martyred in Karak operation

Four police personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), were martyred and two terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire during a search-and-strike operation in Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday, police said.

The martyred personnel were identified as DSP Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Imranuddin Khan, Sub-Inspector and Latamber police station SHO Afzal Awan, DSP CTD’s gunman Kazim and Bomb Disposal Unit official Amjad.

According to police, the operation began at noon following reports of terrorist presence and movement in the area. The decision to launch the operation came after terrorists set up a blockade on Chirpira Road within the jurisdiction of Khurram police station on Wednesday night.

Police said the operation was led by the DSPs of Banda and the CTD, with personnel from the Bomb Disposal Unit, drone team, Rescue 15 and Rapid Response Force also taking part.

During the operation, police raided the house of alleged terrorist commander Qaiser Iqbal in Chirpira, triggering an exchange of fire between police and armed men. Two terrorists were killed in the encounter, while four police personnel were martyred, officials said.

Police added that the operation was still underway to track down other suspected terrorists in the area.

The SP Operations, all station house officers in the district and other relevant police officials are participating in the ongoing action, according to police.