According to a Dawn News report, four police stations in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, located in the districts of Lakki Marwat and Bannu, came under coordinated terrorist attacks on Friday night. However, the timely and courageous response from the police forces successfully repelled the attacks, preventing any casualties among the security personnel.
In Lakki Marwat, terrorists targeted the Dadiwala and Pezo police stations. The police’s swift action ensured that both attacks were repelled. Unfortunately, a roadside bomb on Landiwah Road injured two policemen, including the driver of a police vehicle. One attacker was killed during the retaliatory response, and a search operation was initiated to apprehend his accomplice. Authorities had already issued a threat alert a day earlier, highlighting the region’s ongoing security challenges.
In Bannu, unidentified armed men attacked the Khojri police post, hurling two hand grenades and opening fire. Courageous local villagers armed themselves and joined forces with the police to defend the post. The community members showed solidarity by chanting slogans of support for the police. Additionally, two other police stations in Ghoriwala and Bakakhel were also attacked but were successfully defended by the police, forcing the attackers to flee. Thankfully, no casualties were reported in these incidents.
The banned group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attacks in both districts. The TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022, leading to an increase in terror activities across KP and Balochistan. Ironically, the provinces of KP and Balochistan, which are rich in mineral resources, continue to face terrorism and a significant army presence. In contrast, the adjacent provinces of Punjab and Sindh remain relatively peaceful.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi commended the bravery of the police, praising their quick response that foiled the attacks. “The unwavering role of the KP Police in the war against terrorism is commendable,” he stated.
KP Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed also lauded the efforts of his force. “Cowardly attacks by terrorists in the dark of night cannot demoralize police personnel. The youth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Force are fighting like a brick wall against the terrorists,” he asserted. The IGP vowed to continue fighting terrorism until it is eradicated and announced commendation certificates and cash rewards for the brave officers.
Earlier this month, a deadly attack on the Bannu Cantonment resulted in the martyrdom of five soldiers, while 16 terrorists were killed during the response. The blast’s destruction also caused civilian casualties, with 13 people, including six children, losing their lives and 32 others injured.
In subsequent counterterrorism operations, security forces eliminated three terrorists in KP’s Tank district and ten more in Jandola, who were attempting to attack a checkpost.
Pakistan was ranked second in the Global Terrorism Index 2025, with the number of deaths in terrorist attacks rising by 45% over the past year to 1,081. February saw a slight increase in terror incidents but a significant surge in civilian casualties, according to a report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).
These events highlight the continuous threat posed by militant groups and underscore the importance of strong community and security cooperation in countering terrorism in Pakistan’s most affected regions.
