Terrorists launch coordinated attacks on police posts in K-P

Terrorists carried out a series of targeted attacks on police stations and outposts across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Friday night, injuring a head constable and a civilian, while authorities successfully repelled all incursions, provincial police officials said.

Police officials told The Express Tribune that the assaults were launched in multiple locations, including Peshawar, Bannu and Hangu districts. In Peshawar’s Badhaber area, terrorists hurled a hand grenade at a police station, wounding Head Constable Faisal. A civilian sustained injuries in a related incident in Matani.

In Bannu, attackers used sniper rifles to fire on the PP Kinger Bridge police post from various directions. They also targeted the Domel police outpost at Kasho Bridge, triggering a 15-minute exchange of fire with responding officers. Police reinforcements engaged the assailants effectively.

Separately, in Hangu, unidentified gunmen attacked the Talab checkpost, but security forces thwarted the attempt without reported casualties.

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All attacks were foiled through swift police counteraction, with no militant breakthroughs reported, police added.

Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid condemned the terrorists, describing them as cowards who hid in bushes to launch hit-and-run strikes but fled when met with strong resistance.

“These troublemakers only know how to attack from cover and lack the courage for a direct confrontation. As soon as they face a firm and iron-handed response from police, they run away like cowards,” he said.

The incidents occurred against the backdrop of heightened Pakistan-Afghanistan border tensions. In a related development, Afghan forces reportedly struck the Mir Ali market in North Waziristan in retaliation for Pakistani actions, destroying several shops. Pakistani authorities have accused Afghanistan of harbouring terrorists responsible for cross-border attacks, a charge Kabul denies.

Security forces remain on high alert across the province as operations continue to counter the surge in militant activity linked to groups operating from Afghan territory. No group has yet claimed responsibility for Friday night’s coordinated assaults.