Militants Attack Pakistan Police Checkpost In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 11 Policemen Killed

At least 11 policemen, including a senior officer, were killed and more than two dozen injured after militants attacked a security checkpost in Hangu district of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghanistan border, officials said.

The attack took place late Wednesday night at the Khazina Banda police checkpost, where militants launched an assault before security forces engaged them in a prolonged gunbattle. Police said the attackers used heavy weapons, while the exchange of fire continued for around one hour.

According to officials, militants first targeted the checkpost and later ambushed a reinforcement team sent to assist the under-attack personnel. The vehicle carrying additional police personnel, including an armoured personnel carrier, came under fire during the operation and was damaged.

Among those killed was Deputy Superintendent of Police Diyar Khan, who was leading the reinforcement team. Officials said the attack left 11 police personnel dead and 28 injured, while security forces killed 15 militants during the retaliatory operation. Several militants were also reported injured.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said the attack was carried out by Fitna al Khawarij, a term used by Pakistan’s government for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). No militant group has officially claimed responsibility for the attack.

Pakistan’s top leadership condemned the assault. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said police personnel had always remained the “frontline force” in the fight against terrorism and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism “in all its forms.” President Asif Ali Zardari, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also condemned the attack and directed authorities to support injured officers and families of those killed.

The attack highlights continuing security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which has witnessed a rise in militant violence since the collapse of the TTP ceasefire agreement with Islamabad in November 2022. Pakistan has repeatedly accused militants based across the Afghanistan border of supporting attacks, while Afghan authorities have denied allowing their territory to be used against Pakistan.