The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for an attack against a police station in Lakki Marwat, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, that left four police officers dead, including Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Iqbal Momand, early Thursday morning.

According to Pakistani media, TTP militants attacked a police station with small arms fire, wounding several officers. DSP Momand and three other officers responded to the attack, but were all killed when an IED detonated in the road by their vehicle. Lakki Marwat is a hotbed for TTP activity, which has seen an increase in attacks against security forces.

In a statement, the TTP reported that “Last night, the Mujahideen of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s Laser Wing attacked the Arsla check post of Police Station Sadar in Tehsil Laki Marwat of Wilayat Bannu, in which three officials were killed and two were injured, Alhamdulillah. The force coming to help the police led by DSP Iqbal Momand was targeted by Mujahideen with a planned mine on Mianwali Road, in which five officials including DSP Iqbal Momand were killed Alhamdulillah.”

“All our Mujahideen were safe in these two attacks. It should be remembered that this same DSP Iqbal Momand was also involved in burning our comrades some time ago after brutally martyring them,” the statement added.

Lakki Marwat
The funeral prayers of DSP Iqbal Momand, Constable Waqar Shaheed, Constable Ali Marjan Shaheed and Constable Karamatullah who were martyred in an IED attack by miscreants in the night near Sadar police station Parwala Dabak Mor, were performed with official honors… pic.twitter.com/587DmzxQEg

— Eagle Eye PSF (@zarrar_11PSF) March 30, 2023

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif responded to the attack by tweeting out the “My heart is saddened by the martyrdom of four police personnel, including DSP, as a result of a militant attack in Lakki Marwat. The sacrifices of our police officers/men in the war against terrorism are unforgettable. May Allah grant the martyrs a place in His mercy and speedy recovery to the injured.”