5 policemen martyred in blast near police van in KP's Bajaur

Five police officers were martyred while 22 people were injured when a blast occurred near a police van in Mamund tehsil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district on Monday.

Bajaur police spokesperson Israr Ahmed confirmed the casualties, and Dr. Wazir Khan Safi from Khar District Headquarters Hospital mentioned that 12 out of the injured were being treated there, while 10 were referred to a Peshawar medical facility.

Malakand Division Commissioner Saqib Raza said that the ongoing polio campaign in the area was suspended due to the incident.

The seriously injured individuals will be transported to Peshawar by helicopter, and the area was cordoned off for security.

According to a Rescue 1122 statement, rescue teams in Mohmund and Lower Dir districts were also put on “alert”.

Caretaker KP Chief Minister Justice (retd) Arshad Hussain Shah condemned the blast, expressing grief for the police officials' martyrdom. He prayed for the swift recovery of the wounded and directed the district administration to provide timely aid. 

“The police morale would not be defeated by such cowardly incidents,” the chief minister asserted. He pledged full support to the bereaved families, acknowledging the enduring sacrifices made by the KP police for the nation's safety.