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Kohat Police Attack has left at least 10 police personnel martyred after armed militants ambushed a police party during an operation targeting illegal gold mining in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kohat district, triggering a major security response.
The deadly assault has raised fresh concerns about the growing connection between criminal networks and militant groups operating in the province.
Deadly Ambush During Anti-Mining Operation
The Kohat Police Attack took place in the Darbokach Jalandhar Banda area, within the jurisdiction of Gambat police station, between Kohat and Karak districts.
According to police officials, the personnel were involved in an operation against illegal gold mining along the Indus River when armed attackers opened fire on their party.
Initial reports indicated that the assailants positioned themselves on nearby hills and targeted police personnel as they approached the area.
The attack triggered an intense exchange of gunfire, prompting authorities to dispatch additional police contingents and security reinforcements to the location.
According to reporting by The Express Tribune, Kohat police spokesperson Muhammad Nauman Zeb confirmed that 10 personnel, including senior officers, had lost their lives.
Police Personnel Martyred in Kohat
The 10 martyred personnel included Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gambat Haider Zaman and Sub-Inspector Mukhtiar.
The loss of police personnel, including senior officers, represents another serious blow to law enforcement efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Reports also indicated that several police vehicles were damaged or set on fire during the assault. The Express Tribune reported that five police mobile vehicles were torched by the attackers.
An emergency was declared at the District Headquarters Teaching Hospital in Kohat to facilitate the treatment of casualties.
The incident prompted heightened security measures, with additional personnel deployed to the affected area.
Illegal Gold Mining and Criminal Networks
The Kohat Police Attack occurred against the backdrop of an enforcement campaign targeting illegal gold extraction along the Indus River.
According to the information provided by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, criminal elements had been involved in unauthorised gold mining in the area.
Authorities had reportedly given those involved a two-day deadline to stop their activities before launching a formal crackdown.
During the operation, more than 20 individuals were reportedly arrested. Dozens of illegal mining sites were demolished, while machinery used in the activity was seized.
Police maintained that criminal networks and militant elements had developed links that enabled them to pursue their activities and resist law enforcement operations.
The authorities described the attack as evidence of cooperation between criminal mafias and Fitna al-Khawarij.
Security Response and Exchange of Fire
Following the ambush, additional police and security personnel were dispatched to the area to contain the situation and pursue the attackers.
The initial reports described an ongoing exchange of fire, while authorities moved to strengthen security around the affected locations.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police also reported that 18 militants had been killed in the confrontation. However, this specific figure has not been independently corroborated by the major reports available at the time of publication and should be treated as a police-reported claim.
The Associated Press separately reported that the exchange of fire was continuing and that the Pakistani Taliban had claimed responsibility for the assault.
Political Leadership Condemns Attack
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi strongly condemned the attack on police personnel and directed authorities to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
Provincial Adviser for Information Samar Haroon Bilour also paid tribute to the martyred officers, saying their sacrifices would always be remembered.
The Central Police Office said the attack had been carried out at the behest of foreign forces and highlighted what it described as organised connections between criminal mafias and militant elements.
The police leadership vowed that facilitators of militants and criminal networks would not be spared.
Growing Security Challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The Kohat Police Attack highlights the continuing security challenges facing law enforcement agencies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where police personnel have increasingly become targets of armed attacks.
The incident also underscores the difficulties authorities face when confronting illegal economic activities allegedly protected by armed groups and criminal networks.
The government and security agencies face the challenge of dismantling these networks while protecting personnel engaged in enforcement operations.
The martyrdom of 10 police officers has renewed calls for stronger security arrangements, effective intelligence coordination and sustained action against militant and criminal networks.
For residents of Kohat and surrounding districts, the incident has once again raised concerns about security and the ability of law enforcement agencies to operate safely in vulnerable areas.See More on Pulse Pakistan
