Three individuals, including two Khyber Pakhtunkhwa policemen, were martyred in a gun attack that occurred in the Pabbi area of Nowshera district, Geo News reported on Sunday, citing the Excise Department.
Initial reports indicate that the attack took place after 2 am when unidentified passengers in a white double cabin vehicle opened indiscriminate fire on the policemen who had signaled them to stop.
Constables Mujahid Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed were martyred in the attack, while Sub-Inspector Farooq Bacha sustained serious injuries, including five bullet wounds, but managed to reach the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH). SI Bacha’s personal driver was also killed in the incident.
A case has been registered, and further investigation is currently underway.
Meanwhile, the funeral prayer for the martyred policemen was held at Police Lines early in the morning, attended by Excise Department and police officers.
CCPO Qasim Khan and other officials were also present at the funeral.
Expressing regret over the incident, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has issued directives for the arrest of those involved in the attack.
“The provincial government will not leave the families of the martyrs alone. All possible assistance will be provided to the families of the martyrs,” he reassured, adding that justice would be ensured for the martyrs’ families.
Meanwhile, the KP chief secretary has requested a report on the gun attack. Emphasizing that excise officials are fighting a war against drugs and smuggling in the province, the official stated that their sacrifices would not be in vain.
Reaffirming the continuation of the campaign against smuggling, the chief secretary said that the scope of action against drug dealers and smugglers is being further expanded.
The incident occurs as the province grapples with an alarming increase in terror incidents and attacks, particularly targeting security personnel, in recent months.
A day prior, District Police Officer (DPO) Shangla Shah Hassan was targeted in a remote-controlled improvised explosive device (IED) attack. However, the police officer remained safe in the explosion.
The country experienced a sharp surge in terror attacks in January 2025, increasing by 42% compared to the previous month, according to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), a think tank.
The data revealed that at least 74 militant attacks were recorded nationwide, resulting in 91 fatalities, including 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants. An additional 117 individuals sustained injuries, including 53 security forces personnel, 54 civilians, and 10 militants.
KP remained the worst-affected province, followed by Balochistan. In KP’s settled districts, militants carried out 27 attacks, resulting in 19 fatalities, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and two militants.
The tribal districts of KP (erstwhile Fata) witnessed 19 attacks, leading to 46 deaths, including 13 security personnel, eight civilians, and 25 militants.
