18 terrorists,10 policemen killed in encounter in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
What's the story
A gunfight in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Kohat district on Wednesday left at least 18 terrorists and 11 police personnel dead. The clash erupted after a police party was ambushed while returning from an operation against illegal gold mining in the Darabukach area. Authorities said the attackers were members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Operation details
Police team was returning from operation against illegal gold mining
Officials said the terrorists carried out the attack in collaboration with criminal groups involved in illegal mining in the region.
"Fitna-al-Khawarij attacked the police party at the behest of criminal elements," said a police statement, referring to TTP terrorists as "Fitna-al-Khawarij."
The attack led to a heavy exchange of fire, resulting in the deaths of 10 police personnel, including DSP Gambat Haider Zaman and Sub-Inspector Mukhtiar.
Clash aftermath
Emergency declared at District Headquarters Teaching Hospital
Five police vehicles were torched during this incident.
Afterward, additional forces were deployed to the area and an emergency was declared at District Headquarters Teaching Hospital.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, describing those killed in action as heroes who had made the ultimate sacrifice for the country's peace and security.
He also said the nexus between criminal elements and the TTP was an attempt to spread unrest.
Ongoing tensions
Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of allowing TTP terrorists
Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan's Taliban regime of allowing TTP terrorists to operate from Afghan territory. However, the Taliban has denied these allegations.
Despite multiple rounds of talks between Pakistan and the Taliban, differences over militant groups operating from Afghan soil remain unresolved.
In September alone, Pakistan recorded 225 terrorist attacks, its highest monthly tally in 12 years, according to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).