Six police personnel, including a station house officer (SHO), were martyred on Monday after an improvised explosive device (IED) struck a police armoured vehicle in the Tank district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to police, the blast occurred in the Kot Wali limits of Gomal police station when the police armoured personnel carrier (APC) was on routine patrol duty.

The explosion was caused by an IED planted on the roadside, which detonated as the vehicle passed, killing all five personnel onboard. The sixth official succumbed to injuries later.

SHO, additional SHO among martyrs

Police confirmed that the station house officer (SHO) of Gomal police station was among those martyred in the attack. Initial reports also indicated that the Additional SHO was among the victims.

All six officers sustained fatal injuries in the blast.

Following the explosion, police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace those responsible. The bodies of the martyred personnel were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital Tank for medico-legal formalities.

Security in the surrounding area was tightened as part of the ongoing operation.

President, PM condemn attack

President Asif Zardari has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of police personnel in a terrorist attack in Dera Ismail Khan. Zardari paid tribute to the bravery of the martyred police officers and their unwavering spirit of service to the nation.

He prayed that Allah Almighty grant the martyrs a high place in Paradise and bestow patience and strength upon their bereaved families.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of the six police officers. He offered prayers for the forgiveness of the martyrs and patience and strength for their bereaved families.

The prime minister directed authorities to conduct an immediate investigation and vowed that the terrorists responsible would be brought to their logical end. He reiterated that the government of Pakistan remains determined to completely eradicate terrorism from the country.

Interior minister pays tribute

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the blast near the police vehicle. He paid tribute to the martyred officers, including the SHO, calling their sacrifice a testament to bravery.

“The brave police personnel sacrificed their lives today for the peaceful tomorrow of the nation,” Naqvi said, adding that the nation would never forget their eternal sacrifices. He also expressed heartfelt condolences and solidarity with the families of the martyrs.