KOHAT: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in a deadly militant assault on Tuesday, several police personnel, including a senior officer, were killed after gunmen targeted a police mobile in the Shakardara area on the outskirts of Kohat.
Police officials said the attack occurred when a team headed by DSP Asad Mahmood Khan was transporting detainees for investigative proceedings. Armed militants ambushed the vehicle, opening intense and indiscriminate fire, leaving multiple casualties at the scene.
Officers and Detainees Among the Dead
Those who lost their lives in the attack include:
DSP Asad Mahmood Khan
Inspector Anar Gul Khan
The DSP’s driver
Wahab Gul (reader to the DSP)
Constable Mudassar
Syed Amir Abbas, son of Syed Murtaza
Two detainees Yousaf Khan, son of Yaqoob Gul, and Samiullah, son of Muhammad Anwar were also killed during the assault.
Three police officers Zahoor Khan, Aqab Hussain, and Mohib Rehman sustained critical injuries and were shifted to a nearby medical facility for emergency treatment.
Security Tightened Across the Area
Following the ambush, a heavy deployment of police forces was made in and around Shakardara. Search and clearance operations were launched to track down those responsible.
Chief Minister Condemns Attack
Sohail Afridi, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, strongly condemned the attack, terming it a “deeply tragic incident.” He paid tribute to the fallen officers and assured that their sacrifices would not be forgotten.
The chief minister reiterated that the provincial police serve as the frontline defence against terrorism and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the families of the victims. He also directed authorities to provide the best possible medical care to the injured officers.
Linked to Broader Wave of Violence
The incident comes a day after another major attack in the province. On Monday, militants affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) reportedly carried out coordinated assaults targeting Federal Constabulary personnel near Dargah Shaheedan in the Bahadar Khel area.
In that earlier attack, three FC personnel were killed after militants struck an FC fort with a drone and later targeted ambulances transporting the wounded, setting one vehicle ablaze. Several others, including a Rescue 1122 official, were injured and shifted to Khalifa Gul Nawaz Hospital in Bannu for treatment.
Authorities have vowed to intensify counterterrorism operations in response to the recent surge in militant violence across the province.
