In a tragic and violent incident on Tuesday, five police officers lost their lives in a targeted terrorist attack near Kohat, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Among the fallen was Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Asad Mahmood Khan, who was leading the team at the time of the assault. The attack took place in the Shakardara area, located on the outskirts of Kohat city, a region that has witnessed increasing militant activity in recent months.
The police unit was in the process of transporting detainees for further investigation when militants launched a sudden and indiscriminate gunfire attack on their vehicle. The assailants not only opened fire but also set the police van ablaze before fleeing the scene, leaving behind a trail of devastation. The officers who sacrificed their lives included DSP Asad Mahmood Khan, Inspector Anar Gul Khan, the DSP’s driver, his reader Wahab Gul, Constable Mudassar, and police official Syed Amir Abbas, son of Syed Murtaza.
Tragically, two detainees being transported in the van, identified as Yousaf Khan, son of Yaqoob Gul, and Samiullah, son of Muhammad Anwar, also succumbed to their injuries during the attack. Meanwhile, three other police personnel—Zahoor Khan, Aqab Hussain, and Mohib Rehman—sustained serious wounds and were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment. Their condition remains critical as authorities work to stabilize them.
In the aftermath of the attack, local law enforcement swiftly deployed a large contingent of police forces to secure the area and launch extensive search operations aimed at apprehending the militants responsible. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and heightened concerns about the ongoing security challenges in the region.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi strongly condemned the brutal assault, describing it as an “extremely tragic” event. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of DSP Asad Mahmood Khan and his team, emphasizing that their sacrifices would not be forgotten or go in vain. Afridi highlighted the crucial role played by the K-P Police as the frontline defense against terrorism and reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting the families of the martyrs during this difficult time.
The chief minister also assured that the injured officers would receive the best possible medical care and prayed for their speedy recovery. His statements reflect the provincial government’s resolve to bolster security measures and provide necessary resources to law enforcement agencies combating militancy.
This tragic attack follows a similar violent incident just a day earlier, when militants targeted Federal Constabulary (FC) personnel in the Bahadar Khel area. On Monday, three FC members were killed and several others wounded during a coordinated assault involving a drone strike on an FC fort near Dargah Shaheedan. The militants, identified as members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) faction Fitna al-Khawarij, escalated the violence by attacking ambulances transporting the injured, setting the vehicles on fire.
The recent spate of attacks underscores the persistent threat posed by militant groups in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and highlights the immense risks faced daily by security forces working to maintain peace and stability. Authorities continue to intensify counterterrorism operations in the region, aiming to dismantle militant networks and prevent further bloodshed.
