In a devastating escalation of violence, five Pakistani police personnel were killed Tuesday in a coordinated militant ambush in the country’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The assault occurred in Karak district, a region previously considered relatively secure from such attacks.
According to provincial police authorities, the attack unfolded in two phases: militants first detonated improvised explosives targeting the police vehicle, then opened fire on the disabled van. The assault resulted in the deaths of four officers and their driver.
The Pakistani Taliban, formally known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack. The group has maintained its insurgency against the Pakistani state for nearly two decades, with this latest incident signaling a concerning resurgence of militant activity in the region.
In response to the attack, Pakistani security forces conducted counter-operations, reportedly killing eight militants involved in the ambush.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the violence, acknowledging that ‘police have always played a frontline role in the war against terrorism.’ His statement highlighted the ongoing challenges facing Pakistani security forces.
The attack occurs amid deteriorating relations between Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan. Islamabad has accused militant groups of using Afghan territory to plan and execute attacks against Pakistan, a charge that Kabul vehemently denies. The border region has witnessed increased tensions following recent clashes, with both nations struggling to maintain stability since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in October.