Suicide bombers attack police in Mansehra, Balakot

* SHO killed, 4 injured as attacker blows himself up inside Mansehra police station
* Attacker killed in Balakot police station shootout

MANSEHRA/ISLAMABAD: Suicide bombers on Saturday attacked police stations in Balakot and Mansehra, killing a station house officer (SHO) and wounding several others.

According to police sources, Khalilur Rehman, SHO of Balakot police station, was killed and several others injured in the attacks at the police stations. Gunshots were also heard from the Mansehra Police Station. Those injured in the two blasts were taken to hospitals.

Talking to reporters, District Police Officer (DPO) Waqaruddin said the suicide attacks took place at about 09:30am, adding that the police responded to the attacks bravely and a massive loss of human lives was prevented.

He said two suicide bombers tried to enter Mansehra Police Station. One of the attackers hurled a hand grenade at the building and opened fire. Police personnel deployed at the entrance gate retaliated and killed one of the attackers, while the other managed to flee.

The DPO said three police personnel, including a female constable, were injured in the attack.

Station chief Waheed Khan told AFP, “We have cordoned the area and are searching for the second attacker.”

Ali Raza, another police official, said bomb disposal staff was defusing the explosives strapped to the dead attacker’s body.

DPO Waqaruddin said another suicide bomber entered the Balakot Police Station and blew himself up after police guards fired at him. SHO Khalilur Rehman died instantly.

Three passers-by identified as Kaleemullah, Rashid, a resident of Jaba; Raftaj Bibi, a resident of Sanghar; and two policemen Gul Nawaz and Humayun were injured and taken to the Mansehra District Headquarters Hospital.

Police official Gul Zareen said Saturday’s suicide attacks began within minutes of each other in Mansehra district