Militant Attack Foiled as Police, Security Forces Clear Training Facility in Dera Ismail Khan
DERA ISMAIL KHAN – A coordinated terrorist attack on a police training school in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan left seven police personnel martyred and 13 others injured, officials confirmed on Saturday. Security forces responded swiftly, eliminating five terrorists, including a suicide bomber, in a joint clearance operation.
The assault began late Friday night when militants stormed the training centre, initiating the attack with a suicide blast at the entrance. Armed with automatic weapons, the terrorists engaged in an intense gunfight with the stationed police.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Hafiz Muhammad Adnan, the attackers launched the assault around 8:30 PM, but were repelled after a fierce exchange. Security reinforcements quickly arrived, securing the area and conducting a successful clearance operation.
Over 200 Personnel Rescued, Police Called Heroes for Bravery
The Director General Public Relations confirmed that over 200 officers and trainees present inside the centre were safely evacuated. The nearby Nadra office, which was also under threat, was cleared during the operation.
The DHQ Trauma Centre received 13 injured personnel, who are currently under treatment.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the attack, praising the fallen officers for thwarting the terrorists’ plans. “These brave men laid down their lives to protect the country,” Naqvi said. “The entire nation salutes their sacrifice.”
DI Khan Faces Renewed Threats Amid Rising Violence in KP
This deadly incident came just a day after an army officer, Major Sibtain Haider, embraced martyrdom in a separate intelligence-based operation (IBO) in DI Khan’s Daraban area. The operation, which targeted seven terrorists linked to Indian proxies, highlighted the region’s growing strategic importance in counter-terror efforts.
Major Sibtain, a 30-year-old officer from Quetta, was praised by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his courage and leadership.
The ISPR and security forces have repeatedly warned that terrorist elements and their facilitators are attempting to destabilize Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, ISPR chief, confirmed that efforts to uproot militancy are being intensified under the government’s “Azm-e-Istehkam” initiative. He also pointed to governance gaps and a “deliberate” strategy that allowed militants space to regroup in the province.
KP Hit Hardest by Surging Terrorism in 2025
According to the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Pakistan has seen a 46% spike in violent incidents in the third quarter of 2025. A total of 901 fatalities and 599 injuries were reported in 329 violent incidents, mostly in KP and Balochistan.
KP remains the most affected, accounting for 71% of all fatalities and over 67% of attacks. The porous border with Afghanistan continues to play a key role in facilitating cross-border militancy.
Despite this grim outlook, Pakistan’s civil and military leadership reaffirmed their unwavering resolve to fight terrorism. As the nation mourns its fallen heroes, officials stress that these sacrifices strengthen the country’s determination to defeat extremism in all its forms.
