PESHAWAR: seven policemen and six militants lost their lives during a late-night assault on a police training center in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), a volatile province in Pakistan. The incident occurred amid a growing wave of militancy in the region adjacent to Afghanistan, the police confirmed on Saturday.
The attack came shortly after reports of airstrikes in Kabul, the Afghan capital, which allegedly aimed to target Noor Wali Mehsud, the leader of the Pakistani Taliban, also known as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Initially, the TTP claimed responsibility for the assault on the training center in DI Khan, stating a suicide bomber had detonated an explosive-laden vehicle at the entry gate before other militants infiltrated the facility. However, the group later retracted its statement.
DI Khan police spokesperson Yaqoob Khan told that the facility’s wall collapsed due to the force of the blast, claiming the lives of two officers and triggering a heated exchange of gunfire between both sides.
“In total, seven policemen were martyred and 13 others injured,” said Yaqoob Khan, adding that all six attackers were neutralized. He noted that all 200 trainees and staff at the center had been safely evacuated.
Inspector General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, Zulfiqar Hameed, confirmed that the area had been secured and emphasized that search and clean-up efforts continued. He commended the leadership of the RPO and DPO and announced rewards for all personnel involved in the operation. The IGP also honored the sacrifices of the martyrs, expressing that their efforts would not be forgotten.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the attack and paid tribute to the seven martyred officers, offering heartfelt condolences to their families while praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Mohsin Naqvi acknowledged the bravery of the police personnel who thwarted a major terror plot, stating that they stood firm against the attackers and defeated their malicious intentions. He also emphasized the unmatched sacrifices made by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police in combating terrorism.
