Police officers in Lakki Marwat launched a protest and blocked major roads after a bomb blast targeted a police vehicle in the Bethani subdivision, killing seven policemen and injuring another.
The Policemen protest began on Friday night when the Police Aman Committee, a body representing serving policemen, shut the district’s entry and exit points. Officers gathered at the police lines shortly after funeral prayers for the martyred policemen. Police officials confirmed that the terrorist attack killed seven policemen and injured one officer. The incident intensified concerns about security in the district.
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Police Aman Committee blocks roads
Members of the Police Aman Committee, many wearing civilian clothes but carrying their official rifles, held a meeting after the funeral prayers.
During the meeting, committee president Khalid Khan announced that the committee would close all main roads, including the Peshawar-Karachi Highway, as part of the protest.
In a video message later shared on social media, Khalid Khan described the attack as a tragic incident and said the Policemen protest in Lakki Marwat reflected deep anger within the police force. He said the committee initially decided to close the roads for both public and goods transport vehicles.
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However, the committee later revised the decision and allowed passenger transport to continue because the Eid festival was approaching. “As Eid festival is approaching, the public transport will not be halted,” Khalid Khan said. He added that authorities would close the roads for all types of transport after Eid.
He also stated that the terrorists responsible for the attack and their handlers would be brought to justice.
Transport disruption and public reaction
The Policemen protest in Lakki Marwat caused significant disruption to the transport sector. Transporters bringing essential commodities to the district faced serious difficulties after police closed the main routes. Vehicles carrying vegetables and fruits from Punjab and other regions remained stranded on the highways.
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A trader from a fruit and vegetable market said the market did not receive fresh supplies on Saturday. “As we did not receive fruits and vegetables in the market, we did not release the rate list for vendors on Saturday,” the trader said. He said the closure of roads had severely affected business activities and placed the business community under pressure.
Local elders and religious scholars strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the police vehicle. They paid tribute to the policemen who embraced martyrdom and urged the government to ensure lasting peace in the region.
Former Member of the National Assembly Naseer Mohammad Khan, a key member of the Marwat Qaumi Jirga, praised the Police Aman Committee for its role in protecting police installations from terrorist threats. He urged the government to provide the official Shuhada package to the families of the martyred policemen and take practical steps to restore peace in the district.
The Policemen protest in Lakki Marwat has highlighted growing frustration among law enforcement officials following repeated militant attacks in the area.
