Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) among four officers martyred in Lakki Marwat blast

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On Thursday, a tragic incident occurred in Lakki Marwat as an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) went off, causing the martyrdom of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and three constables, according to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police. The police officials were on their way to the Saddar police station in response to a terrorist attack, when the explosion took place on the Pirwala Road. The police spokesperson stated that the DSP, along with his team, rushed to the police station after receiving information about the ongoing attack. Unfortunately, on their way to the station, near the Pirwala turn, the IED blast took place, resulting in the loss of DSP Iqbal Momand and constables Ali Marjan, Waqar, and Karamatullah.

The Saddar police station in Lakki Marwat came under attack by terrorists who opened fire in the early hours of the day, resulting in an exchange of fire between the police and the terrorists. The gunfight led to six policemen being injured, identified as Head Constable Farooq Shah and constables Amanatullah, Asghar, Sardar Ali, and Arif. The injured policemen were quickly taken to Lakki City Hospital for medical attention.

The police department also reported that the militants who carried out the attack were armed with heavy and sophisticated weaponry. However, due to the alertness and swift action of the police, the attackers had to flee the scene after returning fire.

During the funeral services held at the Police Line, which was attended by senior police officers, the martyred DSP and policemen were given a befitting tribute. The outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement.

Former Chief of the National Counter Terrorism Authority, Ihsan Ghani, in a statement to Dawn.com, expressed that the police officers are a "soft target" for armed groups, as they are constantly out on the streets performing their duties. He added that the war against terrorism is a lonely battle, and the police officers are at the forefront of this war.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack and offered his condolences to the bereaved families. In a statement, the prime minister paid homage to the martyred DSP and policemen, stating that they are the first line of defence against terrorism. He further stated that the elimination of terrorism is crucial for Pakistan's survival and development.

The increase in terrorist activities in Pakistan has become a growing concern. Over the past few months, terrorist groups have been executing attacks with almost no restraint across the country, especially in KP and Balochistan. Since the breakdown of talks with the TTP in November, the militant group has increased its attacks, particularly targeting the police in KP and areas adjacent to Afghanistan. Insurgents in Balochistan have also intensified their violent activities and established a connection with the outlawed TTP.

The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, an Islamabad-based think-tank, reported that January 2023 was one of the deadliest months since July 2018, with 134 people losing their lives and 254 being injured in at least 44 militant attacks across the country.