Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has sought a detailed report on the incident.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed grief over the martyrdom of 10 police personnel in a terrorist attack on a police team in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kohat district.

Eighteen terrorists were killed and 10 police officers embraced martyrdom on Wednesday when a police team came under attack while returning from an operation against individuals involved in illegal gold mining.

In his statement, President Zardari said the sacrifices of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police in the fight against terrorism were a source of pride for the entire nation.

He extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyred personnel and expressed solidarity with them.

The president said cowardly terrorist attacks could not weaken the nation’s determination to eliminate terrorism from the country.

He added that police personnel and other law enforcement agencies were making tremendous sacrifices to protect the lives and property of citizens.

Zardari also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the attack, saying the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives for the country’s peace, stability and security would always be remembered.

PM Shehbaz Reaffirms Resolve to Eliminate Terrorism

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack and paid tribute to the martyred police personnel, describing them as national heroes.

The prime minister, who is currently visiting Turkiye to attend the COP31 summit, said the brave officers and personnel of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police had demonstrated exceptional courage and devotion to duty by sacrificing their lives for the country’s peace and security.

He extended condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the departed souls and strength for their families.

Shehbaz said the killing of 18 terrorists during the operation reflected the professional capabilities, courage and determination of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police in the fight against terrorism.

He also described the alleged nexus between criminal elements and Fitna al-Khawarij as an attempt to spread unrest in the country, vowing that such elements would not be allowed to succeed.

Fitna al-Khawarij is the term used by the Pakistani state for terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The prime minister reiterated that no compromise would be made on Pakistan’s peace and stability.

He added that the courage and determination demonstrated by police personnel and other law enforcement agencies in counterterrorism operations were commendable, stressing that the entire nation stood alongside the country’s security forces.

Details of Kohat Police Operation

According to a statement issued by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, personnel were conducting a joint operation with the local civil administration in the Darabukach locality near Kohat city.

The statement said the police team came under attack while returning after completing the operation.

“When the police party was returning after completing the operation, Fitna-al-Khawarij attacked the police party at the behest of criminal elements,” the statement said.

It added that police personnel fought back with bravery, killing 18 militants, while 10 officers embraced martyrdom during the exchange of fire.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has sought a detailed report on the incident.

Images shared by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police on its official X account identified Deputy Superintendent of Police Haidar Zaman among those martyred.

Security Situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has continued to face security challenges, with militant attacks and counterterrorism operations reported in several parts of the province and former tribal districts.

According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, Pakistan’s security environment remained volatile between October 30 and November 5, with renewed militant activity in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and former tribal areas, alongside intensified counterterrorism operations.

The province has also been under governor’s rule and emergency since October 11, when the federal government introduced the measures following approval by the president.

The federal government cited what it described as the PTI-led provincial government’s deliberate disengagement from counterterrorism efforts as the reason for the decision.