Two policemen were killed in a gun attack in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, police said on Friday, as militant violence continues to surge in the region bordering Afghanistan.
Attack Details and Casualties
The attack, claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), targeted a police patrol vehicle in KP’s Mohmand district. Station House Officer Zaitullah and Elite Force constable Noor Zeb were killed in the assault, according to a Mohmand police spokesman.
“During the cowardly attack by the Fitna Al-Khawarij (TTP) terrorists last night, both the men fought bravely and died,” the spokesman said. Senior officials offered funeral prayers for the slain officers, after which the deceased were laid to rest with state honors.
Rising Militancy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
KP, which shares a porous border with Afghanistan, has witnessed a sharp increase in militant attacks. The TTP and other militant groups frequently target security forces, police, and government officials. The region has seen dozens of such incidents in recent months.
Pakistan-Afghanistan Tensions
Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of supporting militant outfits such as the TTP that carry out attacks against its law enforcers and civilians. The Afghan Taliban deny the allegations and urge Pakistan to resolve its security challenges internally.
Islamabad has conducted airstrikes inside Afghanistan this year against what it describes as militant hideouts and infrastructure, in response to attacks in Pakistan’s western regions. These strikes have triggered fierce clashes between the two neighbors since February.
