DPO, SHO among three security personnel injured in intense gun battle
Nine terrorists were killed during a joint security operation in Hangu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Saturday, according to local police. The operation was launched by police and other law enforcement agencies following credible intelligence reports about the presence of militants in the area, Express News reported.
The encounter turned into a fierce firefight in which Hangu District Police Officer (DPO) Mohammad Khalid Khan and Doaba Station House Officer (SHO) Nabi Khan sustained injuries, along with one other security official.
The DPO was reported to be in stable condition. He was first transferred to Kohat and arrangements were being made to airlift him to Peshawar for further treatment. Kohat Regional Police Officer (RPO) Abbas Majid Marwat accompanied him during the transfer. K-P Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed also reached out to the injured officers to express solidarity and inquire about their well-being.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi spoke to the DPO by phone, praising his courage and leadership during the operation against what he referred to as the “Indian-sponsored proxy group Fitna Al-Hindustan.”
“Your leadership enabled the team to eliminate five terrorists of Fitna Al-Hindustan,” Naqvi said. He lauded the bravery of the Hangu police and described the operation as a major success in the fight against terrorism.
Naqvi also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured DPO and SHO, adding, “You are the pride of the nation.”
President Asif Ali Zardari also issued a statement through the President’s Secretariat Press Wing, commending the security forces for their swift and decisive response. He praised their action in neutralising militants linked to Fitna Al-Hindustan and expressed best wishes for the recovery of the injured officers.
The president reiterated that the nation stood united against terrorism and vowed that the fight to restore peace and stability would continue unabated. “Terrorists will not be allowed to disrupt our hard-earned peace,” he said.
