HANGU: Militants killed 11 police officers, including Deputy Superintendent of Police Diyar Khan, and injured 28 during the Hangu checkpoint attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa late Wednesday.
The death toll rose to 11 early Thursday, July 30, according to police and government officials cited by the Associated Press.
Police said the attackers used heavy weapons against the Khazina Banda checkpoint. They also ambushed reinforcements travelling to the area and damaged an armoured personnel carrier.
DSP Diyar Khan died after leading additional police officers to the checkpoint. The ensuing gun battle continued for about an hour.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said officers killed 15 militants and injured several others during the response. He also confirmed that 28 police personnel suffered injuries.
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Initial reports placed the police death toll between four and nine and said eight militants had been killed. Authorities revised both figures as police recovered bodies and received updates from the operation.
No organisation immediately claimed responsibility. Provincial police attributed the attack to “Fitna al-Khawarij,” the term Pakistani authorities use for militants affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the assault and paid tribute to the officers. Police continued clearance and search operations in the area.
