Bomb Disposal Official martyred in IED explosion in Peshawar’s Hassan Khel

A member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police’s Bomb Disposal Unit was martyred on Tuesday while attempting to defuse an improvised explosive device left behind by terrorists inside an abandoned police post in Peshawar’s Hassan Khel subdivision. According to police, the post in the Faqeeri Banr area had been lying vacant after terrorists detonated one IED inside and left another unexploded.

“A BDU member, Khaisat Rehman, who had travelled from the provincial capital, was attempting to defuse the second IED when it exploded,” a senior police official told Dawn. The area was immediately cordoned off and a search operation was launched to track down the perpetrators. Rehman’s sacrifice highlights the persistent threat posed by militant groups operating in the region, where law enforcement personnel remain on high alert.

Hassan Khel, located about 50 miles south of Peshawar, has witnessed a surge in terrorist attacks on law enforcement agencies over the past four years. The area has been a hotspot for militant activity, with security forces regularly conducting operations to eliminate terrorist hideouts.

On July 1, a woman was killed and six others of the same family were injured in a suspected drone strike in Pastawana, a village in the mountainous terrain of Hassan Khel subdivision. The victims were shifted to Shamshato Hospital, where four persons with minor injuries were discharged. On June 9, six Federal Constabulary personnel were martyred and four injured while responding to an attempt by terrorists to capture a post in the area. Eight terrorists were also killed in retaliatory action, and the attempt to capture the post was foiled.

The latest incident underscores the ongoing security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where militants continue to target law enforcement and civilians. The police and security forces have intensified operations against terrorist networks, with the government reaffirming its commitment to eliminating militancy from the province. The martyrdom of Khaisat Rehman has been widely mourned, with tributes pouring in for the brave officer who laid down his life in the line of duty. As security forces continue their operations, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of citizens and bringing those responsible for such attacks to justice.