Police deny cross-province assault amid escalating border tensions with Afghanistan
Ambulance carrying injured FC personnel came under terrorist attack in Karak district of KP on February 23, 2026. Photo: Express
Terrorists carried out a series of targeted attacks on police stations and outposts across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Friday night, injuring a head constable and a civilian, while authorities successfully repelled all incursions, provincial police officials said.
That’s what police officers told Express Pakinomist that the attacks were launched in several places, including Peshawar, Bannu and Hangu districts. In Peshawar’s Badhaber area, terrorists hurled a hand grenade at a police station, injuring head constable Faisal. A civilian was injured in a related incident in Matani.
In Bannu, the attackers used sniper rifles to fire on PP Kinger Bridge police post from different directions. They also targeted the Domel police outpost at the Kasho Bridge, sparking a 15-minute shootout with responding officers. Police reinforcements effectively engaged the assailants.
Separately, in Hangu, unidentified gunmen attacked the Talab check post, but security forces foiled the attempt with no casualties reported.
Read more: 34 died in Balochistan, KP’s anti-terror sweep
All attacks were foiled through swift police counter-action, with no militant breakthroughs reported, police added.
Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid condemned the terrorists, describing them as cowards who hid in the bushes to launch hit-and-run attacks but fled when met with stiff resistance.
“These troublemakers only know how to attack from cover and lack the courage for a direct confrontation. As soon as they face a firm and iron-fisted response from the police, they run away like cowards,” he said.
The incidents took place against the backdrop of heightened border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. In a related development, Afghan forces reportedly hit the Mir Ali market in North Waziristan in retaliation for Pakistani actions, destroying several shops. Pakistani authorities have accused Afghanistan of harboring terrorists responsible for cross-border attacks, a charge Kabul denies.
Security forces remain on high alert across the province as operations continue to counter the increase in militant activity linked to groups operating from Afghan territory. No group has yet claimed responsibility for Friday night’s coordinated attack.
