Islamabad, February 24 – Seven individuals, including six police officers, were killed after unidentified assailants targeted a police vehicle in the Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan on Tuesday, local media reported.
A senior police officer stated that six police officers, including the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), an inspector, and four constables, were killed when a vehicle carrying two individuals for a court appearance was targeted. The leading Pakistani daily, Dawn, reported that one of the two individuals was also killed in the attack. The attackers also set the vehicle on fire after the incident.
On Monday, at least three members of the Federal Constabulary (FC) were killed when an ambulance carrying injured personnel came under attack in the Badrakhail area of Karak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to local media, citing regional police authorities.
The personnel were injured when an FC post in the Dargah Shaheedan area was attacked with a quadcopter on Monday, and were being transported to a hospital for treatment when the attack occurred. The District Police Officer (DPO) of the leading Pakistani news channel, Geo News, reported that at least five FC personnel were injured in the quadcopter attack, while two rescue personnel were also wounded in the ambulance attack. After the attack, police launched a search and rescue operation to find the attackers.
On February 16, around 11 Pakistani security personnel were killed in a targeted suicide car bombing at a joint checkpost in the Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to local media, citing confirmation from the media wing of the country's military.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the attack involving an explosive-laden vehicle took place on February 16 at a Frontier Corps security post in Bajaur near the Afghanistan border.
The leading Afghan news agency, Khaama Press, reported that the checkpoint, housed in a former religious school building in Bajaur, was completely destroyed, and bodies were later recovered from under the rubble.
"A child living in a nearby house was also killed, while at least three people suffered serious injuries as surrounding homes were damaged by the powerful blast," the report mentioned. Videos circulating online showed civilians attempting rescue efforts in the dark, pulling survivors from the debris, as concerns remained that civilian casualties could rise further.
The report further added that Pakistan has witnessed a surge in suicide and militant attacks in recent months, including a deadly mosque bombing in Islamabad that killed dozens of worshippers.
Since the ceasefire deal between the government and the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) ended in 2022, Pakistan has witnessed an increase in terrorist activities, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
