HANGU: At least 11 police personnel, including Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Diyar Khan, were martyred in a terrorist attack on the Khazina Banda Checkpoint in Hangu district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, prompting an immediate counter-operation by security forces that left eight militants dead.
According to police officials, heavily armed terrorists launched a coordinated assault on the checkpoint. Security personnel responded swiftly, leading to an intense exchange of gunfire.
During the operation, security forces killed eight terrorists and injured six others, successfully preventing the attackers from achieving their objective.
District Police Officer (DPO) Tariq Habib confirmed that DSP Diyar Khan was among the 11 police officers who embraced martyrdom while defending the checkpoint.
28 Police Personnel Injured
The attack also left 28 police personnel injured, highlighting the intensity of the clash.
According to DPO Tariq Habib, the injured included DSP Mujahid Hussain and 23 other police officers who sustained injuries during separate encounters and security operations. An additional five officers were wounded directly during the assault on the Khazina Banda Checkpoint.
Emergency rescue teams and additional contingents of security forces were rushed to the area immediately after the attack.
The bodies of the martyred officers and the injured personnel were shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, identification, and other legal formalities.
Search Operation Underway
Security forces have launched a comprehensive search operation in and around the area to track down any militants who managed to flee following the attack.
Officials said the operation would continue until the region is completely cleared of terrorist elements.
Earlier Major Terror Plot Foiled in Hangu
The latest attack comes just days after security forces successfully foiled a major terrorist infiltration attempt in Hangu district.
According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), and other security agencies, more than 100 terrorists belonging to Fitna Al-Khawarij (FAK) attempted to infiltrate the district from the mountainous areas of Orakzai.
The terrorists reportedly tried to enter the areas of Zargari, Shinawari, and Naryab after security forces launched an operation in Orakzai district earlier this week.
IGP Praises Security Forces
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed commended the courage and professionalism of the Hangu Police, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Frontier Corps (FC), and other security forces for their role in repelling terrorist attacks and protecting civilians.
He paid tribute to the martyred officers and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continuing operations against terrorist organizations.
The latest Hangu terrorist attack underscores the ongoing security challenges facing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where law enforcement agencies continue to conduct intelligence-based operations against militant groups attempting to destabilize the region.
