TTP militants attack checkpoint at Pak-Afghan Highway; 2 policemen killed

Peshawar: Heavily-armed militants from the Pakistani Taliban (TTP militants) attacked a security checkpoint at the Pakistan-Afghanistan Highway in northwest Pakistan's restive tribal district on Thursday and killed two policemen, authorities said.

The attack at the Takhta Beg check post was carried out with hand grenades and heavy weapons, Khyber district police officer Muhammad Imran said In retaliatory fire by the police, one of the attackers who was a suicide bomber was gunned down inside the checkpoint, which he had entered while heavily firing on the police.

The exchange of fire between the attackers and police continued for half an hour.

Two police officials Yunas Afridi and Manzoor Afridi were killed in the attack while the condition of one constable has been stated to be critical.

Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terror group spokesman Muhammad Khurasani has claimed responsibility for the attack.

TTP, commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban, is an umbrella organisation of various Islamist armed militant groups operating along the Afghan–Pakistan border.

Formed in 2007, the group shares a common ideology with the Afghan Taliban and assisted them in the 2001–2021 war.

The latest attack was carried out after a week some six to seven militants attacked Sarband police station bordering Khyber tribal district with hand grenades and automatic weapons.

Three policemen, including a senior police officer, were killed in the January 14 attack.