Update · 12 Nov 2026, 12:46 PM PKT: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack in the Darabukach area of Kohat, extended condolences to the families of the 10 martyred personnel and paid tribute to their sacrifices. The martyred personnel included Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Haidar Zaman. Sharif prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the deceased officers and for strength and patience for their families.
Sharif described the slain personnel as heroes of the nation and said the KP police had set an outstanding example of courage and dedication to duty. Sharif said the government would not compromise on Pakistan's peace and stability and was determined to eliminate terrorism from the country.
Ten police personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), were killed and 18 attackers died in an ambush in Kohat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police said on Wednesday. The attack targeted a police party returning from an operation against illegal gold mining in the Darbokach area, between Kohat and Karak.
In separate operations, KP police also said they had killed a wanted militant commander in Khyber district and repelled a late-night attack on a police station in Dera Ismail Khan. The Khyber operation was reported on Thursday, and the Dera Ismail Khan incident took place late on Wednesday night.
Ambush on police returning from Kohat mining operation
According to a police statement, the ambush happened in the Darbokach area, within the jurisdiction of Gumbat police station. Police and the local administration were carrying out an operation against illegal mining when the attack occurred.
Also read: 12 policemen injured in Kohat ambush during anti-mining raid
The police party came under heavy fire while making its way back from the site. Police said the attackers were allegedly acting at the behest of criminal elements. The officers fought back, killing 18 attackers whom police described as members of Fitna al-Khawarij, a term the state uses for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Ten personnel died in the exchange of fire. Police said all of the deceased belonged to KP, particularly Kohat district, but the statement did not disclose their identities. Earlier reports said armed men had opened heavy fire, sparking an intense gunfight, and that five police vehicles were set on fire.
Rescue 1122 teams were sent to the remote location, and an emergency was declared at the District Headquarters Teaching Hospital in Kohat. Injured personnel were moved to hospital for treatment. The Kohat District Police Officer said a pursuit was under way to track down the attackers and that action would continue until the remaining assailants were eliminated.
The police statement alleged that criminal networks and the outlawed group had coordinated the attack with the backing of foreign forces. It vowed action against those involved and their facilitators.
Political and official reaction to the Kohat attack
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the attack, offered condolences to the families of the martyred personnel and asked police authorities for a detailed report. He called for those responsible to be brought to justice.
Provincial Information Adviser Samar Haroon Bilour also condemned the attack. She described the alleged nexus between Fitna al-Khawarij and criminal elements as a serious threat to law and order, and called for the best possible medical care for the injured and action against the attackers and their facilitators.
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry paid tribute to the slain officers in a post on X. He praised their bravery and dedication and called for those responsible to face justice.
Khyber commander killed and Dera Ismail Khan station attack repelled
In the Khyber case, a police operation in the Bara Shaikhan area led to the killing of Saifullah, whom authorities described as a senior commander of Fitna al-Khawarij. A police spokesperson said he was wanted by the police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in several serious cases.
Police said the slain militant was allegedly involved in attacks on security checkpoints and improvised explosive device (IED) blasts in Ali Masjid and Jamrud. Police also said Saifullah had lived in Afghanistan for the past three years and had recently returned to Pakistan. Two police personnel suffered minor injuries when militants threw grenades during the encounter.
Inspector General of KP Police Zulfiqar Hameed praised the personnel involved and said security operations would continue until the province was free of the last militant.
In Dera Ismail Khan, police said attackers rammed an explosives-laden pickup truck into the main gate of the Band Korai Police Station and opened fire with heavy weapons. The blast damaged the station’s boundary wall and a nearby mosque, but no casualties were reported and all deployed personnel remained safe.
The spokesperson said officers responded at once and forced the attackers to retreat before they could enter the premises. Police personnel held their positions and stopped the assault through timely action, alertness and advance security arrangements. The District Police Officer of Dera Ismail Khan visited the site and reviewed the security situation, while local residents gathered near the station to show support for the police, the spokesperson added.
