DPO Tariq Habib Khan says investigation launched, while efforts to arrest the attackers have been intensified
DERA ISMAIL KHAN:
Two suspects in custody were killed and a police constable was injured on Monday after unidentified terrorists allegedly linked to Fitna al-Khawarij opened fire on a police vehicle in the 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 involving the abduction, rape, and murder of a minor child, were being transferred to jail after a court appearance. According to initial reports, unidentified armed attackers ambushed the investigation police vehicle near Surozai and opened fire.
As a result, the two under-custody suspects — 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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Following the incident, a heavy police contingent cordoned off the scene and launched a search and clearance operation. The injured constable was shifted to hospital for medical treatment. On the instructions of DPO Khan, an investigation has been launched, while efforts to track down and arrest the attackers have been intensified.
K-P remains a key focus of the country’s counterterrorism efforts, with security forces regularly conducting IBOs against militants. The province witnessed a significant rise in militant violence last year, with more than 500 attacks reported, marking a 50% increase compared to the previous year.
According to a security assessment obtained by The Express Tribune, K-P recorded 1,588 terrorism-related incidents, underscoring the growing militant threat across both settled and tribal districts. Despite the increase in attacks, security forces reportedly thwarted 320 major strikes, while 137 police personnel were killed in the line of duty.
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The report said joint operations by the K-P Police, the 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 were among the districts most affected by militant violence, with the report noting a pattern of attacks allegedly planned and launched from across the Afghan border.
The CTD report also recorded a 56% increase in attacks targeting police personnel, rising from 327 in 2024 to 510 in 2025. During the year, security agencies conducted 2,791 search operations and identified 25 foreign militant operatives, while extortion networks operating in Peshawar and other districts were dismantled, according to the report.
