On November 11, a police convoy in Kohat, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwest Pakistan, came under a deadly ambush by armed militants. This tragic incident resulted in the deaths of at least ten police officers and left twelve others injured. Furthermore, during the ensuing gunfight, authorities confirmed that eighteen militants were killed.
The President and Prime Minister of Pakistan released a statement on November 12, expressing their strong condemnation of this attack while extending condolences to the families of the fallen officers.
According to a report from Radio Pakistan, the police, in collaboration with local authorities, were conducting a joint operation in the Darabokach area, aiming to dismantle illegal gold mining activities when the attack occurred.
As the police were returning from their operation, they were ambushed by the militants. The authorities identified the attackers as belonging to the group “Fitna al-Khawarij,” claiming they were acting on the orders of criminal elements. The police fought back valiantly, resulting in the death of eighteen militants; however, the incident claimed the lives of ten police officers and left another twelve with injuries.
The designation “Fitna al-Khawarij” has been the official label used by the Pakistani government and military since July 2024 to refer to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliated militant factions.
In their statements, police officials mentioned that there were organized connections between the criminals involved and the “Fitna al-Khawarij.” They indicated that these groups operate under foreign influence, highlighting a disturbing pattern of international involvement in local violence. Authorities pledged to hold accountable those who assist militants and criminal elements, affirming a zero-tolerance policy toward any illegal activities.
According to TRT World, the TTP has since claimed responsibility for the attack on the police convoy in the Kohat region.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed their grief over the loss of the police officers, condemning this act of terrorism.
In his tribute, Zardari honored the sacrifices made by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police in the fight against terrorism, declaring it a matter of national pride. He underscored that such terrorist attacks would not shake the government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country.
Echoing these sentiments, Shehbaz noted that the fallen officers demonstrated unwavering commitment, courage, and dedication to their duty. Their sacrifice is a reminder of the ongoing struggle against extremism that continues to challenge the region.
As Pakistan navigates through these turbulent times, the courage of its law enforcement and the solidarity of its leadership will remain critical in the fight against terrorism and in efforts to restore peace and security in the nation.