Dera Ismail Khan, Oct 11: At least seven police personnel and six terrorists were killed in a deadly suicide attack and subsequent gun battle at the Ratta Kulachi Police Training School in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district, officials said on Saturday.
The attack began late Friday night when terrorists rammed an explosives-laden truck into the main gate of the training centre, triggering a massive blast. Armed militants wearing various uniforms then stormed the compound, opening indiscriminate fire on security personnel.
Police forces retaliated immediately, killing three attackers in the initial exchange. A joint clearance operation lasting five hours followed, during which three more terrorists were neutralised. Six additional police personnel lost their lives in the fierce gunfight, taking the total police toll to seven.
According to officials, all 200 trainee recruits and staff members were safely evacuated to secure locations. Thirteen injured policemen were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The operation was led on-site by DPO Sahibzada Sajjad Ahmed and RPO Syed Ashfaq Anwar, with support from SSG commandos, the Al-Burq Force, and the Elite Force. Security teams recovered suicide vests, explosives, modern weapons, and ammunition from the slain terrorists.
Inspector General of Police, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Zulfiqar Hameed confirmed that the area has been fully cleared and a mop-up operation is underway. He praised the bravery of the officers and personnel involved, paying tribute to the martyrs and announcing rewards for those who took part in the mission. (Agencies)
