PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — A series of assaults targeting Pakistani police in the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province resulted in the deaths of five officers and injuries to eight others, as reported by local officials. The violence, which occurred on a Thursday, consisted of four distinct attacks, three of which inflicted casualties on police personnel.
The most severe incident took place in the Upper Dir district, where armed militants ambushed a police van during a routine patrol early in the morning. This attack led to the deaths of three officers and injuries to seven others, as confirmed by police official Ismail Khan. The ambush represents a significant escalation in violence against law enforcement in the area.
In a separate attack in the Peshawar suburb of Hassan Khel, armed men fired automatic weapons at a police station. This assault resulted in the death of one police officer and left another wounded during an exchange of gunfire, according to Peshawar Capital City Police Officer Qasim Ali Khan.
Additionally, overnight attacks occurred at police checkpoints in the Lajbok area of the Lower Dir district, where a police constable was killed. A further incident was reported in the Bannu district; however, no casualties were recorded there. As of now, there has been no immediate claim of responsibility for these attacks, and it remains unclear if they are interconnected.
The timing of these violent episodes coincides with a security operation aimed at combating militant activities in the Bajaur district of the province. Although no formal announcement regarding this operation has been made, Bajaur is known to be a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban. Local government administrator Saeed Ullah clarified that this operation is not large-scale, focusing mainly on targeting insurgent hideouts to minimize civilian casualties. Despite this intention, the operation has displaced approximately 100,000 individuals, and reports have emerged concerning civilian casualties, including fatalities.
On the same day as the police attacks, hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets, carrying black flags and staging a sit-in protest against the deaths of a mother and her two children. They were reportedly killed when a mortar shell struck their home in the Inayat Kili area of Bajaur. This incident underscores the tragic impact of ongoing military operations on innocent civilians.
In response to the displacement caused by the military operations, local authorities are currently registering affected families from the Mamund area and establishing temporary camps in public schools and sports complexes. Government official Saeed Khan reported that displaced individuals have begun receiving food and relief packages as part of the assistance effort.
According to anonymous sources, between 500 and 800 militants are currently believed to be taking refuge in Bajaur, adding complexity to the security situation in the region. The presence of such a significant number of insurgents poses ongoing challenges for Pakistani authorities as they seek to stabilize the area and protect civilians.
As violence against police continues to surge amid military operations, the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains precarious, necessitating ongoing attention and response from authorities and security forces alike.
