Three policemen martyred in Peshawar terror attack

• DSP Badaber Sardar Hussain martyred in attack.
• Terrorists attacked police station with grenades, sniper guns.
• SSP operations says terrorists attacked from two to three sides.

PESHAWAR: At least three police personnel, including an officer, were martyred during an exchange of gunfire with terrorists who launched an overnight assault at a police station in Peshawar, Geo News reported Saturday.

The terrorists attacked the Sarband Police Station located in the city's suburban area with hand grenades in the dark of night, leaving Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Badaber Sardar Hussain and his two guards martyred.

Senior Superintendent of Police Operations Kashif Aftab Abbasi confirmed that the Sarband Police Station came under attack with grenades and sniper guns fitted with night vision thermal goggles.

The SSP operations said the terrorists attacked the police stations from two to three sides. He said that at least six to eight terrorists were involved in the attack. At least 12 to 14 policemen were present at the police station at the time of the attack, he said.

The SSP operations said that terrorists lobbed five hand grenades into the compound of the police station. Four of the grenades were neutralised while one blew up, he said.

The police official said that the terrorists managed to flee after the attack. He added that the search operation had been halted and would recommence during the daytime in order to track down the attackers. 

Police have repulsed the terrorists almost two hours after they attacked around 1am. 

Police contingents arrived on the spot after the terror attack was reported. The police spokesperson said that the entire area was cordoned off following the assault. 

Additional police contingents and armoured personnel carriers also rushed to the flashpoint. 

Following the assault, DSP Hussain rushed to the troubled spot, according to Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Ijaz Khan. 

The DSP parked his vehicle at Shahabkhel and scurried on foot towards the Sarband Police Station. However, they fell prey to the sniper guns of the terrorists. 

The DSP and his two gunmen — Irshad and Jehanzeb — died on the spot. They all received gunshot wounds to their heads and bodies.

Police shifted their bodies to a hospital and started scouring the area around the Sarband Police Station for terrorists with the help of APCs. However, there is no report so far of any arrest or killing of terrorists.