Three Pakistani police officers were killed on Friday in successive explosions targeting a checkpoint in the Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to local police.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police, Zulfiqar Hameed, said the first explosion targeted a police checkpoint.
Hamid added that police officers were not routinely deployed at the checkpoint at the time of the first explosion, according to Dawn Pakistan.
He continued, explaining that the second explosion occurred shortly afterward. The blast targeted a number of police officers who were on their way to the site after the first incident. He indicated that the second explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED).
This incident is one of the deadliest attacks on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police in recent months, heightening security concerns in the province amid escalating violence by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Funeral prayers for the martyred officers are expected to be held later today in Hangu. Provincial leaders will be present.
The situation remains volatile, with searches for suspects continuing.
Voice of the Emirates
