IG Punjab awards cash prizes to cops on foiling terrorist attack in Mianwali

Inspector General (IG) Police Punjab Dr Usman Anwar awarded cash prizes to four policemen deputed for foiling the terrorist attack during his visit to the Kundal check post in Mianwali on Sunday.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, IG Punjab awarded cash prizes of half a million rupees to CTD cops who launched the operation, while Rs3 million to all the cops deputed at the patrolling post.

The Punjab Police, along with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and the armed forces, will take full action against the terrorists in the difficult hilly areas, IG Punjab Dr Usman Anwar said.

Earlier, two militants were killed while one was seriously wounded after the police foiled a terror attack on its patrolling post at Kundal in Mianwali on Saturday night.

However, a cop named Haroon Khan was martyred in firing by the assailants. 

According to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar, who left for Kundal today to review the post-attack situation, said around 10 to 12 militants attacked the post, which led to an exchange of fire between the two sides which lasted for four hours. “At last two militants were killed when a policeman fired at them from a rooftop,” he elaborated. 

Giving further details, the IGP said the militants stormed the post from two sides. “However, to their surprise, policemen were fully alert to thwart the attack,” he said, adding there were reports that two terrorists were seriously injured.

“Search operation is continuing in the area,” he said, adding, “The slain militants were involved in terror attacks across the country.”

Dr. Usman, during his visit to the area, will meet with the police personnel manning the post.

He will also attend the funeral prayer of the deceased constable.

He praised the Force for foiling the attack, and said he saluted constable Haroon for laying down his life while performing his duty.

It is pertinent to mention here that terror attacks have been on the rise, especially for the last one month.

Only a day before yesterday, on Friday, two incidents of terrorism, one in Mastung, Balochistan and the other in Hangu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) shocked the nation and reminded the nation of the lingering issue of militancy.

As many as 60 people died in Mastung suicide blast while at least five people were killed and 10 others were injured in a blast at a mosque in Hangu.

At a press conference on Saturday, Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the government would conduct an operation “as big as needed” to restore the writ of the state.

Mr Bugti blamed the Indian intelligence agency, RAW, for involvement in terrorist activities in Balochistan.

Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir also visited Quetta on Saturday, where he was briefed on recent terrorist attacks in Mastung and Zhob.

“These terrorists and their facilitators, having no link to religion and ideology, are proxies of the enemies of Pakistan and its people,” the army chief said in a statement.

“These forces of evil will continue to face the full might of the state and security forces… and the armed forces, intelligence and law enforcement agencies shall not rest till the menace of terrorism is rooted out from the country,” he added.

Taliban have intensified their attacks in Pakistan since November last when a truce between the TTP and the government fell apart.