Excise ASI and customs official killed, another injured in targeted attack, police say
Martyred Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Kohat Excise Office Sajjad-ul-Islam and Sepoy Jawad Ahmed of Peshawar Collectorate of Customs Enforcement. PHOTO: EXPRESS
DERA ISMAIL KHAN:
An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Kohat Excise Office and a customs official were martyred late on Thursday evening while another customs official was seriously injured after terrorists ambushed a government vehicle at a joint check post on Indus Highway in Kohat and set it on fire, Rescue 1122 said.
According to the police, the attack took place near Kohat Toll Plaza where unidentified terrorists opened fire on the customs vehicle causing it to burst into flames.
The deceased were identified as ASI Sajjad-ul-Islam of Kohat Excise Office, who was performing his duty at the joint check post, and Customs Enforcement Constable Jawad Ahmed of Peshawar Collectorate, a resident of Chakdara, Rescue 1122 said.
Another customs official, Basirullah, a resident of Karak, sustained serious injuries and was shifted to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Kohat after receiving first aid.
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Rescue 1122 said it received the emergency call and immediately dispatched medical and firefighting teams to the scene. The medical team provided emergency treatment to the injured official, recovered the body of the deceased customs official from the burnt vehicle and shifted it to DHQ Hospital while firemen brought the fire under control.
Police said the attack triggered panic in the area, after which law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area and launched a search operation for the attackers. Authorities have launched an investigation while efforts are being made to identify and arrest those responsible.
Funeral prayers for ASI Sajjadul Islam were offered on Friday at 11 am near his residence in Khushgi Bala near Kalma Chowk. Senior officials from the Ministry of Revenue along with officers and staff from other government departments attended the funeral.
A Kohat Excise Office spokesman described Islam as “a highly capable and dedicated officer” and said the department stood in solidarity with his bereaved family during their grief.
Meanwhile, funeral prayers for Customs Constable Jawad Ahmed were offered at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the Custom House in Peshawar.
Pakistan Customs deeply regrets to inform that a customs officer on routine anti-smuggling was targeted by terrorist attack near Kohat Toll Plaza approx. 12.15 on 24 July. Unidentified assailants targeted the team on the main road. pic.twitter.com/soFeHpe18z
— Pakistan Customs – DG Communications & PR (@Pak_Customs) July 24, 2026
In a statement, the customs department expressed “deep grief and sorrow” over his martyrdom and said he embraced martyrdom while performing his duty during the terror attack. The ward prayed that Allah grant him the highest place in Jannatul Firdous and grant his family patience and strength.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, also strongly condemned the terror attack.
He expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of ASI Islam and Customs Constable Jawad, prayed for elevation of the ranks of the martyrs and for patience for their families and wished the injured official a speedy recovery.
The prime minister directed the relevant authorities to identify those responsible and bring them to justice, saying, “The fight against the scourge of terrorism will continue until it is completely eradicated from the country,” and “anti-state elements will under no circumstances be allowed to undermine the peace of the country.”
WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM WEB DESK.
