KP police kill wanted militant commander in Khyber, foil separate attack on Dl Khan station

PESHAWAR: Police killed a highly wanted militant commander in Khyber district and repelled a separate late-night attack on a police station in Dera Ismail Khan using an explosives-laden vehicle, in two security operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police said Thursday.

In the first incident, a police operation in Bara Shaikhan area of Khyber district resulted in the killing of Saifullah, described by authorities as a senior commander of Fitna al-Khawarij.

According to a police spokesperson, Saifullah was wanted by the police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in several serious cases.

The slain militant was allegedly involved in attacks on security checkpoints and improvised explosive device (IED) blasts in Ali Masjid, Jamrud, the spokesperson said.

Police said Saifullah had been living in Afghanistan for the past three years and had recently returned to Pakistan.

Two police personnel sustained minor injuries when militants launched a grenade attack during the encounter.

Inspector General of KP Police Zulfiqar Hameed praised the personnel involved in the operation, saying security operations would continue until the province was cleared of the last militant.

Police repel Dera Ismail Khan station attack

In a separate incident, police repelled a late-night militant attack on Band Korai Police Station in Dera Ismail Khan after attackers rammed an explosives-laden pickup truck into its main gate and opened fire with heavy weapons.

A police spokesperson said the attack took place late Wednesday night and caused a powerful explosion that damaged the station’s boundary wall and a nearby mosque.

No casualties were reported, and all police personnel deployed at the station remained safe.

The spokesperson said police officers responded immediately and forced the attackers to retreat before they could enter the premises.

Despite the explosion and heavy weapons fire, police personnel held their positions and thwarted the assault through timely action, alertness and advance security arrangements.

District Police Officer Dera Ismail Khan reached the site following the attack and reviewed the security arrangements and the situation. Local residents also gathered near the police station in support of the police after hearing the explosion, the spokesperson added.

Ten police personnel martyred, 18 attackers killed in Kohat attack

At least 10 police personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), were martyred and 18 attackers killed in an ambush on a police party returning from an operation against illegal gold mining in Kohat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police said on Wednesday.

The attack took place in the Darbokach area, within the jurisdiction of Gumbat police station, between Kohat and Karak, as police and the local administration were conducting an operation against illegal mining, according to a police statement.

The police party came under heavy fire while returning from the operation, with the attackers allegedly acting at the behest of criminal elements. Police personnel fought back, killing 18 attackers, whom the police described as members of Fitna al-Khawarij, a term used by the state for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Ten police personnel were martyred in the exchange of fire. All the deceased belonged to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly Kohat district. The police statement did not disclose their identities.

The statement alleged that criminal networks and the outlawed group had coordinated the attack with the backing of foreign forces, and vowed action against those involved and their facilitators.

Earlier reports said armed men opened heavy fire on the police party, triggering an intense exchange of gunfire. Five police vehicles were also set ablaze during the attack.

Rescue 1122 teams were dispatched to the remote location, while an emergency was declared at the District Headquarters Teaching Hospital in Kohat. Injured personnel were shifted to hospital for treatment.

Kohat District Police Officer said a pursuit operation was under way to track down the attackers, adding that action would continue until the remaining assailants were eliminated.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the attack, expressed condolences to the families of the martyred personnel and sought a detailed report from police authorities. He called for those responsible to be brought to justice.

Provincial Information Adviser Samar Haroon Bilour also condemned the attack, describing the alleged nexus between Fitna al-Khawarij and criminal elements as a serious threat to law and order. She called for the best possible medical facilities for injured personnel and action against the attackers and their facilitators.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry paid tribute to the martyred officers in a post on X, praising their bravery and dedication and calling for those responsible to be brought to justice.

The attack took place during an operation targeting illegal gold mining, highlighting the security risks faced by police personnel while pursuing criminal activities in the province.