Two police constables were martyred in separate targeted attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, prompting authorities to launch investigations and search operations to apprehend those responsible.
According to police officials, the first incident occurred on Friday morning when Police Constable Mishqat Amir was returning home after attending a gathering at the Hamza Tablighi Centre. He was travelling along the Bannu-Miranshah Road near Azad Mandi when unidentified gunmen opened fire on him.
The constable sustained critical injuries in the attack and died at the scene. Police described the incident as a targeted killing and said efforts were underway to identify and arrest the attackers.
In a separate incident on Thursday night, Police Constable Muhammad Roshan was shot by unidentified assailants outside his residence in Saidgi Baka Khel. Roshan was serving at the North Waziristan Temporarily Displaced Persons (TDPs) Camp in Baka Khel and had returned home after completing his official duties.
Officials said the attackers targeted him while he was standing outside his house. He was rushed to a nearby hospital after sustaining serious injuries but later succumbed to his wounds.
Police authorities have classified both attacks as acts of terrorism and launched intelligence-based operations in the affected areas. Investigators are examining multiple angles to determine the motives behind the killings and trace those involved.
The incidents have drawn condemnation from local residents and police officials, who called for swift action against the perpetrators. Law enforcement authorities reiterated their commitment to maintaining peace and ensuring those responsible are brought to justice.
Bannu has witnessed a rise in security-related incidents in recent months amid an increase in militant violence across parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Attacks targeting security personnel and civilians have prompted security forces to intensify counterterrorism operations in the region.
The latest killings underscore the ongoing security challenges facing law enforcement personnel serving in terrorism-affected areas of the country.