By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi
BANNU: Police in Pakistan’s northwestern district of Bannu have defused a powerful improvised explosive device planted on a public road, thwarting what officials said could have been a major terrorist attack.
The device was discovered near Darashah Kallay within the jurisdiction of Basia Khel police station after officers received intelligence that militants had planted a locally made bomb on the paved road with the intention of causing large-scale damage and endangering public safety. Police swiftly sealed off the area and called in the bomb disposal unit.
Acting on the instructions of the deputy inspector general for the Bannu region and under the supervision of the district police officer, the bomb disposal squad carried out a controlled operation and safely neutralised the explosive. Officials said the device contained between ten and twelve kilograms of high-grade explosive material along with a detonator, a remote control unit and a motorcycle battery.
The inspector general of police for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa praised the local police and bomb disposal squad for their timely action, saying their response had prevented a potentially large-scale tragedy. He said the provincial police force remained committed to protecting lives and property by foiling what he described as the malicious designs of militants.
