In a tragic and violent incident on Tuesday, a terrorist attack in the Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa claimed the lives of seven individuals, including six police officers. The attack targeted a police mobile van traveling along the remote Shakardara Road, resulting in the immediate death of three policemen, among them Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Asad Mehmood. The assault also left several others wounded, including civilians who happened to be nearby at the time.
The terrorists opened fire without warning on the police vehicle, catching the personnel off guard in this secluded area. The initial gunfire caused the death of DSP Mehmood and two other officers on the spot. In addition to the police casualties, two civilians passing by the scene sustained injuries during the attack. The situation worsened as three more injured police officers and one of the wounded civilians later succumbed to their injuries, pushing the death toll to seven.
Following the shooting, the attackers set the police van ablaze, further complicating rescue efforts and underscoring the brutality of the assault. Meanwhile, three other police personnel and another civilian who were injured remain hospitalized, receiving medical treatment for their wounds. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and law enforcement agencies, highlighting the persistent threat posed by militant groups in the region.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack in the strongest terms, describing it as a heinous act carried out by Fitna al-Khawarij militants. He paid homage to the bravery and sacrifice of DSP Asad Mehmood and the other police officers who lost their lives while performing their duties. The minister expressed deep condolences to the families of the martyrs, emphasizing that their sacrifice represents the highest form of patriotism. He assured that the government stands firmly with the bereaved families during this difficult period and vowed to continue efforts to combat terrorism.
This attack comes amid a troubling rise in militant violence, particularly in provinces bordering Afghanistan such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Just a day prior, three Federal Constabulary personnel were killed when an ambulance carrying injured officers was targeted by terrorists in Karak district. Additionally, security forces recently conducted intelligence-based operations that resulted in the elimination of multiple militants affiliated with the Fitna al-Khawarij group in Dera Ismail Khan and Balochistan’s Pishin district.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in cross-border terrorist activities. The porous border regions of KP and Balochistan have become hotspots for militant infiltration and attacks. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has accused India of orchestrating a proxy war against Pakistan by supporting militant groups, alleging that New Delhi and Kabul are aligned in their efforts to destabilize Pakistan through these violent acts.
In response to the escalating violence, Pakistan launched a series of targeted airstrikes on Sunday against seven terrorist camps and hideouts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. These strikes, carried out in Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces, reportedly killed over 80 militants linked to Fitna al-Khawarij, Daesh-Khorasan, and their affiliates. The targeted facilities included several known militant training centers such as New Centre No. 1 and No. 2 in Nangarhar and the Khwariji Mullah Rahbar camp in Paktika.
Despite repeated diplomatic appeals, the Afghan Taliban regime has largely failed to take meaningful action against militant groups operating from its territory. This ongoing inaction has contributed to frequent border clashes, including a significant confrontation in October 2025, which resulted in the deaths of over 200 Taliban and allied militants and 23 Pakistani soldiers defending their posts. Pakistan has also conducted precision strikes deep inside Afghan territory, targeting terrorist hideouts in Kandahar and Kabul, but efforts to establish a ceasefire have stalled due to Kabul’s reluctance to curb militant activities.
The recent attack in Kohat is a stark reminder of the volatile security situation in Pakistan’s border regions and the sacrifices made daily by law enforcement officers to maintain peace. It also underscores the urgent need for coordinated regional efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and prevent further loss of innocent lives.
