In the latest militant assault on security forces in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, at least 15 people were killed.
Kabul 24: The attack took place on Wednesday evening in the Hangu district. According to local police officials, seven policemen and eight militants died in the clash.
Tariq Habib, the district police chief, confirmed that another 22 police personnel were wounded. Security forces have launched a clearance operation in the area to hunt down remaining attackers.
Initial reports indicate that armed militants launched a direct assault on a security checkpoint, triggering intense gunfire. Emergency teams rushed to the scene to evacuate the injured, some of whom are in critical condition.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the militants, but investigations are underway to determine the group responsible and dismantle their support network.
This incident comes just days after a similar deadly attack in the Tank district of the same province.
In that earlier assault, militants rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a security post, killing 15 people, including military personnel, police officers, and government employees. Pakistani troops responded with a counter-operation that resulted in the deaths of 12 militants.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has witnessed a sharp rise in militant attacks in recent months. The province, which shares a porous border with Afghanistan, has become a hotspot for violence.
Pakistani officials have repeatedly blamed groups based in Afghanistan for orchestrating these assaults and have urged Kabul to crack down on their activities.
However, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has strongly denied any involvement in Pakistan’s insecurity.
Security analysts link the surge in violence to groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has stepped up operations in the region.
The TTP has claimed responsibility for several recent attacks, stating they are retaliating against Pakistani military actions.
The pattern of repeated strikes has increased pressure on Islamabad to strengthen border security and intensify counter-terrorism efforts.
The federal government has yet to issue a detailed official statement on the latest Hangu attack, though statements from the Prime Minister and Interior Minister are expected soon.
The Pakistani Armed Forces have vowed to continue search-and-kill operations until all perpetrators are neutralized.These back-to-back incidents highlight the fragile security situation in northwestern Pakistan.
They underscore the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in stabilizing the former tribal areas and securing the long border with Afghanistan.
Local residents, weary of recurring violence, are calling for stronger and more effective measures to restore peace and normalcy in the region.
