Police repel attacks across province amid escalating border tensions with Afghanistan
The ambulance carrying injured FC personnel was attacked by terrorists in Karak district of KP on February 23, 2026. Photo: Express
Terrorists carried out a series of targeted attacks on police stations and outposts in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Friday night, wounding a police chief and a civilian, as authorities successfully repelled all raids, provincial police officials said.
Police officials said The express PAkGazette that the attacks 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, injuring police chief Faisal. A civilian was injured in a related incident in Matani.
In Bannu, the attackers used sniper rifles to fire at PP Kinger Bridge police post from several directions. They also attacked the Domel police post on Kasho Bridge, leading to a 15-minute exchange of fire with responding officers. Police reinforcements effectively combated the attackers.
Elsewhere, in Hangu, unidentified gunmen attacked the Talab checkpoint, but security forces thwarted the attempt with no casualties reported.
Read more: 34 killed in Balochistan, KP anti-terror operation
All attacks were foiled thanks to a swift police response, and no militant advances were reported, police added.
Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid condemned the terrorists, describing them as cowards who hid in the bushes to launch hit-and-run attacks but fled when they encountered stiff resistance.
“These rioters only know how to attack from covertly and lack the courage for direct confrontation. As soon as they face a firm and harsh response from the police, they flee like cowards,” he said.
The incidents occurred against a backdrop of escalating border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. In a related development, Afghan forces reportedly attacked the Mir Ali market in North Waziristan in retaliation for Pakistani actions, destroying several shops. Pakistani authorities have accused Afghanistan of harboring terrorists responsible for cross-border attacks, a charge Kabul denies.
Security forces remain on high alert across the province as operations continue to counter rising militant activity linked to groups operating from Afghan territory. No group has yet claimed responsibility for Friday night’s coordinated attacks.
