PM Shehbaz honours 10 martyred heroes of Kohat attack

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has paid tribute to 10 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police personnel, including Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Haidar Zaman, who were martyred in a terrorist attack in Kohat.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the prime minister strongly condemned the attack in the Darabukach area and expressed condolences to the families of the fallen personnel. He said the nation held their sacrifices in the highest regard and would always remember their courage and dedication.

According to police, militants linked to Fitna al-Khawarij attacked a police party returning from a joint operation with the local administration against illegal gold mining.

The police personnel responded to the assault, triggering an exchange of fire that resulted in the deaths of 18 militants. However, 10 police officers and personnel also lost their lives, while 12 others sustained injuries and were taken to hospital.

Shehbaz praised the KP Police for confronting the attackers and described the killing of 18 militants as evidence of the force’s professionalism, determination and commitment to combating terrorism.

He said the martyred personnel had made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the country and ensure peace and security. He also prayed for the elevation of their ranks and offered prayers for patience and strength for their grieving families.

The prime minister alleged that criminal elements and Fitna al-Khawarij were working together to destabilise the country and spread unrest. He vowed that their attempts to undermine Pakistan’s peace would not succeed.

He also acknowledged the sacrifices of police personnel and other law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism, saying the entire nation stood firmly behind them.

Reaffirming the government’s position, Shehbaz said Pakistan would not compromise on peace and stability and would continue efforts to eliminate terrorism from the country.

Pakistan has experienced a growing number of militant attacks, particularly in KP and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021.

The country recorded its highest monthly number of militant attacks in 12 years in September 2026, according to figures compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).

The Islamabad-based think tank reported 225 militant attacks nationwide in September, compared with 199 in August. The increase of 13 per cent marked the third consecutive month of rising militant violence.

Islamabad has repeatedly called on Kabul to prevent militant organisations from using Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan. Pakistan maintains that the Afghan Taliban authorities have not taken effective measures against groups targeting its security forces and civilians.

Despite several rounds of negotiations, the two countries have yet to resolve their differences, with the presence of militant groups on Afghan soil remaining a major source of tension.