DPO Tariq Habib Khan says an investigation has been launched, while efforts have been intensified to arrest the attackers.
DERA ISMAIL KHAN:
Two suspects in custody died and a police officer was injured on Monday after unidentified terrorists allegedly linked to Fitna al-Khawarij opened fire on a police vehicle in Surozai area of Hangu district, according to Hangu District Police Officer (DPO) Tariq Habib Khan.
The state uses the term. Fitna al-Khawarij to refer to terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The incident occurred while the suspects, arrested in a case of kidnapping, rape and murder of a minor, were being taken to jail after appearing in court. According to initial reports, unidentified armed attackers ambushed the investigating police vehicle near Surozai and opened fire.
As a result, the two suspects in custody, identified as Dilshad and Amanullah, were killed on the spot. The DPO said constable Safeerur Rehman sustained injuries in the attack, while the police vehicle also suffered partial damage.
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After the incident, a strong police contingent cordoned off the place and launched a search and cleanup operation. The injured officer was taken to a hospital for medical treatment. On the instructions of DPO Khan, an investigation has been launched and efforts have been intensified to locate and arrest the attackers.
KP remains a key focus of the country’s counterterrorism efforts, with security forces regularly conducting IBOs against militants. The province witnessed a significant increase in militant violence last year, with more than 500 attacks reported, representing a 50% increase compared to the previous year.
According to a security evaluation obtained by The express PAkGazetteKP recorded 1,588 terrorism-related incidents, underlining the growing militant threat in settled and tribal districts. Despite the increase in attacks, security forces reportedly thwarted 320 major attacks, while 137 police officers were killed in the line of duty.
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The report said joint operations by KP police, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and other security agencies led to the arrest of 1,244 suspected militants, while 420 militants were killed in intelligence-based operations.
Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Hangu and Peshawar are among the districts most affected by militant violence, and the report notes a pattern of attacks allegedly planned and launched from across the Afghan border.
The CTD report also recorded a 56% increase in attacks on police personnel, rising from 327 in 2024 to 510 in 2025. During the year, security agencies carried out 2,791 search operations and identified 25 foreign militants, while extortion networks operating in Peshawar and other districts were dismantled, the report said.
