Officer martyred as Peshawar police repel attack by over 30 terrorists on Hassan Khel checkpost
Police foiled a Peshawar checkpost attack on the Spin Mela police post in the Hassan Khel area on Friday, but one police officer was martyred and three others were injured during an intense exchange of fire, officials said.
More than 30 heavily armed terrorists attacked the post from two directions, according to the Peshawar Capital City Police Officer. The attackers used heavy weapons, firing from the Moosazai Dara side.
Sixteen police personnel deployed at the post fought back. They repelled the assault and forced the attackers to retreat, the CCPO said. The terrorists had also brought an improvised explosive device to the site, which police personnel safely defused.
Officer martyred in the Peshawar checkpost attack
The martyred officer was identified as Muhammad Jalal. He died while resisting the assault, officials said. Three other policemen were injured in the gun battle.
Reports suggested several attackers were also injured during the exchange of fire, but authorities said those claims were still being verified.
A search operation was launched in the area to trace the fleeing attackers.
Funeral held with full official honours
The funeral prayer for Muhammad Jalal was held at the Malik Saad Shaheed Police Lines in Peshawar with full official honours. A smart contingent of police personnel presented a salute to the martyred officer.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, the chief secretary and Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed attended the funeral. The Frontier Corps North inspector general, Major General Rao Imran Sartaj, also attended, along with officials from the Pakistan Army and the Counter-Terrorism Department. The governor, the chief secretary and senior police and army officials laid floral wreaths on his remains.
KP announces raise in police pay and martyrs’ compensation
After the attack, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa announced a revised package raising police salaries and the compensation paid to the families of martyred personnel. The package also extends financial support to personnel who sustain serious injuries in the line of duty.
Directives were also issued for immediate recruitment to fill 17,000 vacant posts in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police, as the force continues operations to maintain law and order and counter terrorism.
The Hassan Khel attack is the latest in a string of militant assaults on security personnel in the province. Earlier this year, security forces thwarted a large-scale infiltration attempt in Hangu district, and three militants were killed in an intelligence-based operation in Mir Ali, according to state media.
Frequently asked questions
What happened at the Hassan Khel checkpost?
More than 30 heavily armed terrorists attacked the Spin Mela police post in Peshawar’s Hassan Khel area from two directions. Sixteen police personnel repelled the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat.
Who was martyred in the Peshawar checkpost attack?
Police officer Muhammad Jalal was martyred while resisting the assault. Three other policemen were injured in the exchange of fire.
What did the KP government announce after the attack?
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa announced higher salaries for police, increased compensation for the families of martyred personnel, financial support for seriously injured officers, and recruitment to fill 17,000 vacant police posts.
