Militants attack police station in DI Khan, 10 personnel killed
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: At least 10 policemen were killed when militants, some in suicide vests and clad in burqas, attacked a police station in Dera Ismail Khan on Saturday.
Around 4-5 militants attacked Kulachi Police Station, which is located in an area bordering South Waziristan and Lakki Marwat, at 5pm and used guns and hand grenades to take policemen inside the building hostage. All of the attackers were reportedly killed after the completion of the operation.
The Station House Officer (SHO) and investigation officer were among those killed. While police records were also damaged.
Regional police chief Imtiaz Shah told AFP the siege began when attackers dressed in burqas took out guns at the station’s main gate and killed policemen deployed there.
Policemen on duty were taken hostage after militants used hand grenades to damage the boundary wall and enter the building.
Two of the suicide bombers detonated themselves and one was killed by security forces.
The operation has been completed and police has cleared the building.
End of live updates
9:00pm
Express News correspondent Ramzan Seemab reports the operation has been completed and the police station has been cleared.
Ten people have been confirmed to be killed in the attack, including the SHO and investigation officer.
Police sources have confirmed five terrorists had attacked the police station. All five have been reported to be killed.
8:40pm
Civil Hospital Incharge Dr Younis has said three injured policemen were brought to the hospital and they are now in stable condition.
Station House Office (SHO) Kulachi was also killed in the attack.
Three of the attackers were wearing suicide-jackets. Two terrorists reportedly detonated inside and the third was targeted by police using a ‘rocket launcher’, Express News reports.
The District Police Officer (DPO) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) are supervising the operation from behind the police station.
8:30pm
Mohammad Raees, a witness, told Reuters three attackers were riding a motorbike.
“One of them was wearing a burqa and threw the burqa away as they attacked the police station.”
8:25pm
Express News correspondent Ramzan Seemab said all the attackers were wearing burqas when they entered the police station.
8:20pm
The driver of the armored vehicle has said a burqa-clad terrorist detonated inside the police station.
There are reports of 10 policemen being killed. There is no official confirmation on the death toll.
The building is still on fire. Non-availability of water is hindering rescue operations.
8:15pm
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Kulachi has said the operation has been completed. He said records inside the station had been lost as a result of the attack.
He added that computers and vehicles inside the station had also been destroyed.
Two hostages who were rescued were inside the station when the explosions happened. Express News correspondent has said the men were still in shock as a result of the explosions.
8:10pm
DSP Kulachi has said records at the police station have been lost as a result of the fire.
8:00pm
Two hostages have been rescued from the building.
There were around 17 policemen on duty when the attackers struck, police official Mohammad Hussain Khan told AFP, adding that security forces had been called and the area cordoned off.
7:55pm
The driver of the armored vehicle has said one of the attackers blew themselves up when security forces entered the police station. He also said one of the attackers came out of the station and opened fire on the armored vehicle.
7:45pm
Heavy firing is still underway.
The building and an armored vehicle has caught fire as a result of the explosions.
7:35pm
Firing can be still be heard from the police and smoke can be seen rising from the building.
A third explosion has been heard.
7:30pm
Two loud explosions were heard as policemen entered the police station. There is no confirmation if the explosions were suicide blasts.
Initial reports stated the armed men were wearing suicide jackets.
7:26pm
One of the men hurled a hand grenade at the building and a second fired indiscriminately at the policemen inside, said reports coming in.
The armed men are still inside and an operation is underway. Reports from the area also suggest that there could be more than two assailants inside, with reports of armed men on the roof.
Sources have said 30-35 policemen are still trapped inside the police station.
Rescue teams have arrived on the site and emergency has been declared in the hospitals in the area.
Militants attack police station in DI Khan, 10 personnel killed – The Express Tribune
