10 policemen martyred, 18 militants killed in Kohat

At least 10 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police personnel, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), were martyred in an attack by militants following an operation against illegal gold mining along the Indus River in Kohat.

According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, the police and local civil administration conducted an operation on Wednesday against individuals involved in illegal gold mining in the Darabo Kuch area near Kohat.

The operation was aimed at dismantling illegal mining activities and taking action against those involved in extracting gold unlawfully from the Indus River.

Police said the operation was successfully completed. However, as the police party was returning from the area, militants allegedly acting at the instigation of criminal elements launched an attack on the personnel.

The police officers responded to the assault with courage and determination, engaging the attackers in an exchange of fire. According to the police statement, 18 militants were killed during the encounter.

However, 10 police personnel, including a DSP, embraced martyrdom while fighting the attackers. The police paid tribute to the personnel, saying they demonstrated exceptional courage while defending their colleagues and carrying out their duties.

The police further alleged that criminal elements and the banned militant network, described in the statement as Fitna al-Khawarij, were working together with the backing of foreign forces.

According to the police, the coordinated attack following the anti-mining operation exposed the alleged links between criminal networks involved in illegal activities and militant groups operating in the region.

The statement said the incident once again demonstrated that the militants had no connection with Islam or Pakistan and were cooperating with criminal networks to achieve their objectives.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police vowed to take all possible measures against criminal elements and militants allegedly operating with foreign support. It said those facilitating militant activities and members of criminal networks would not be spared.

The police also reiterated that illegal activities, including unlawful mining and criminal operations, would not be allowed to continue.

Authorities vowed to pursue those responsible for the attack and take action against their facilitators and associates.