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Militant attacks kill 8 policemen in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Feb 24 (KUNA) -- At least eight policemen, including a senior officer, were killed in two separate militant attacks in Pakistan's northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and eastern Punjab province, said officials on Tuesday.
In a statement to media, District Police Officer (DPO) Shehzad Rafiq confirmed that two policemen were killed in a suicide blast at a check post in the jurisdiction of Punjab's Bhakkar district on Tuesday evening.
He further said that the suicide attack was carried out near the Dajil check post where two policemen were martyred and one was injured, while three passersby were also injured in the blast.
"The suicide attacker came near the check post and blew himself up, while we were conducting a search operation in the area to maintain law and order," he added.
The injured were taken to the nearest government-run medical facility.
Another attack on Tuesday targeting a police vehicle killed six policemen, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), in Kohat district of KPK.
A statement by the KPK police said that the vehicle, which was transporting two individuals for a court appearance, was attacked.
It confirmed that six police personnel and one of the two individuals were killed in the attack.
The attackers also torched the vehicle after the ambush. The area was cordoned off by the security forces, and a search operation was conducted to apprehend the attackers.
Earlier on Monday, at least nine militants, including a suicide bomber, were killed by security forces in two separate operations in KPK and Balochistan provinces bordering Afghanistan. (end) sbk.hm