ISLAMABAD: At least four police personnel, including Station House Officer Faheem Mumtaz, embraced martyrdom in a fierce exchange of fire with militants during an intelligence-based operation in the Wanda Badh area of Dera Ismail Khan district on Wednesday. The incident unfolded as the police party faced a sudden ambush by armed terrorists upon returning from a search mission targeting militant presence, highlighting the persistent security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Officials confirmed that the attackers opened indiscriminate fire, leading to immediate retaliation from law enforcement, which reportedly neutralized several militants in the ensuing gunbattle.
The martyred officers included SHO Faheem Mumtaz Khan, along with constables Irfan Khan, Ghulam Subhani, and Wajahat. Their sacrifice occurred in the jurisdiction of the Shaheed Nawab Khan police station in the Paniala tehsil vicinity, where intelligence reports had indicated militant hideouts in forested and remote terrains. Such operations are part of ongoing efforts by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police to curb resurgence of militant activities linked to banned outfits operating from border regions.
Three other police personnel sustained injuries in the clash, among them a deputy superintendent of police identified as DSP Paharpur Hafiz Muhammad Adnan and ASI Tariq Khan. The wounded officers received prompt medical attention at the District Headquarters Hospital in Dera Ismail Khan, with their conditions reported as stable. Medical teams worked swiftly to stabilize the victims amid the heightened alert status in the district following the incident.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi swiftly condemned the terrorist attack, expressing profound grief over the loss of brave officers and extending condolences to the bereaved families. He emphasized that such cowardly acts would not deter the resolve of security forces in eradicating terrorism from the country. The minister underscored the frontline role of police in counter-terrorism operations and assured that perpetrators would face justice through comprehensive investigations.
Dera Ismail Khan has witnessed a surge in militant incidents in recent months, with multiple attacks on security installations and personnel. The district, bordering South Waziristan and other tribal areas, remains vulnerable due to its strategic location and porous borders facilitating militant movements. Recent operations, including those by the Counter-Terrorism Department, have targeted Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan elements, resulting in eliminations but also provoking retaliatory strikes.
Police sources detailed that the operation was launched based on credible intelligence about militant presence in the Wanda Badh locality. The police party conducted searches in challenging terrain before the ambush occurred during their return journey. The exchange of fire lasted for a significant duration, with militants using small arms and possibly heavier weapons from concealed positions in forests adjacent to the area.
Security forces cordoned off the vicinity immediately after the incident, launching follow-up search and strike operations in surrounding villages including Hathala, Budh, Mor, and Sahi. Several suspects were detained for interrogation to uncover possible facilitators or networks supporting the attackers. Checkpoints were reinforced across the district to prevent further infiltration or escape of involved militants.
The attack reflects broader security dynamics in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where law enforcement agencies continue to bear the brunt of anti-terror campaigns. Official statements highlight that police morale remains high despite such setbacks, with commitments to intensify operations against terrorist hideouts. Analysts note that sustained intelligence-driven actions combined with community cooperation are essential to disrupt militant supply lines and recruitment in the region.
Condolences poured in from various quarters, including provincial authorities and civil society, paying tribute to the martyred officers for their dedication and bravery. The fallen personnel were described as exemplars of service, having risked their lives repeatedly in high-risk zones. Funerals were planned with full state honors, attended by senior police officials and local representatives to honor their ultimate sacrifice.
This incident adds to the tally of law enforcement casualties in counter-terrorism efforts across Pakistan's northwestern frontier. Authorities have vowed to pursue the attackers relentlessly, ensuring no safe havens remain for militants. Enhanced coordination between police, military, and intelligence agencies is deemed critical to prevent recurrence of such ambushes in volatile districts like Dera Ismail Khan.
