A surge in terrorist attacks across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa resulted in the martyrdom of two soldiers and the elimination of nine militants in security operations, according to the military’s media wing.
Meanwhile, police in Lakki Marwat and Bannu repelled multiple assaults with the support of armed locals who joined law enforcement in countering the attacks.
Security Operations in Mohmand and Dera Ismail Khan
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that security forces engaged militants in two separate encounters on Friday and Saturday, resulting in the deaths of nine terrorists.
In Mohmand district, an intelligence-based operation led to a confrontation in which seven militants were neutralized after troops effectively engaged their positions. However, Havildar Muhammad Zahid, 37, from Malakand, and Sepoy Aftab Ali Shah, 26, from Chitral, were martyred during the intense exchange of fire.
Another operation in Maddi, Dera Ismail Khan, saw troops clash with militants, killing two insurgents. Security forces recovered weapons and ammunition from the slain militants, who were linked to numerous acts of terrorism.
The ISPR stated that clearance operations were underway to eliminate any remaining threats in the area, reaffirming the commitment to eradicating terrorism.
Police Repel Attacks in Lakki Marwat and Bannu
In Lakki Marwat, militants launched an early morning attack on a police post in Abbasa Khattak, using heavy weaponry in an attempt to seize the facility. The police successfully defended the post, with reinforcements led by the district police officer arriving swiftly. The operation included armoured personnel carriers, Quick Response Force (QRF) teams, and local villagers who took up arms alongside the police. One militant was killed in the shootout.
Elsewhere in the district, a police vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) near Wanda Begu Khan, injuring the driver. Other officers remained unhurt. While officials initially reported a single injury, emergency responders later confirmed that three policemen sustained wounds in the blast.
Midnight assaults on police stations in Dadiwala and Dara Pezu were also thwarted. The attackers used light and heavy weapons but were forced to retreat due to police resistance.
Similarly, Bannu police countered multiple ambushes on Friday night. Armed militants hurled grenades at Ghoriwala police station and a checkpoint in Khujari, while another group opened fire on the Bakkakhel police station. The attacks were repelled, with local residents assisting security forces in Khujari.
Bajaur Explosion Targets Police
In Bajaur, unidentified assailants targeted the station house officer (SHO) of Lowi Sam police station in Inayat Kallay bazaar. Gunfire struck his vehicle just before Iftar, injuring four people, including a police officer. The injured were taken to the hospital for treatment, and authorities have launched an investigation to identify the attackers.
Lashkar-i-Islam Founder Killed in Peshawar Blast
A powerful explosion outside a seminary in Peshawar’s Urmar area killed Mufti Shakir, the founder of the banned group Lashkar-i-Islam, and injured three others.
Shakir was taken to Lady Reading Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. His group had previously been led by Mangal Bagh, following which Shakir was expelled from the region due to internal disputes.
After relocating to Khyber district, he became embroiled in violent clashes with another religious faction, leading to his expulsion from the area. In recent years, he re-emerged in Urmar, where he openly criticized extremism, militancy, and sectarian violence in Kurram district.
Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the attack and identify those responsible.
