DPO Tariq Habib Khan says investigation has been launched while efforts to arrest the attackers have been intensified
DERA ISMAIL KHAN:
Two suspects in custody were killed and a police officer was injured on Monday after unidentified terrorists allegedly linked to Fitna al-Khawarij opened fire on a police vehicle in Surozai area of Hangu district, according to Hangu District Police Officer (DPO) Tariq Habib Khan.
The state uses the term Fitna al-Khawarij to refer to terrorists associated with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The incident occurred while the suspects, arrested in a case involving the abduction, rape and murder of a minor child, were being transferred to prison after a court appearance. According to initial reports, unidentified armed assailants ambushed the police vehicle near Surozai and opened fire.
As a result, the two in-custody suspects – identified as Dilshad and Amanullah – were killed on the spot. The DPO said Constable Safeerur Rehman sustained injuries in the attack while the police vehicle also suffered partial damage.
Read: Security forces kill 27 terrorists in North Waziristan IBOs: ISPR
Following the incident, a heavy police force cordoned off the spot and launched a search and clearance operation. The injured constable was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. On the instructions of DPO Khan, an investigation has been launched while efforts to trace and arrest the attackers have been intensified.
KP remains a key focus of the country’s fight against terrorism, with security forces regularly conducting IBOs against militants. The province saw a significant increase in militant violence last year, with more than 500 reported attacks, a 50% increase compared to the previous year.
According to a security assessment obtained by Express PakinomistKP recorded 1,588 terror-related incidents, underscoring the growing militancy threat across both settled and tribal districts. Despite the increase in attacks, security forces reportedly foiled 320 major attacks, while 137 police officers were killed in the line of duty.
Also read: 4 terrorists killed in DI Khan, Mohmand IBOs
The report said joint operations by the KP Police, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and other security agencies led to the arrest of 1,244 suspected militants while 420 militants were killed in intelligence-based operations.
Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Hangu and Peshawar were among the districts most affected by militant violence, and the report noted a pattern of attacks allegedly planned and launched from across the Afghan border.
The CTD report also recorded a 56% increase in attacks targeting police personnel, rising from 327 in 2024 to 510 in 2025. During the year, security agencies conducted 2,791 search operations and identified 25 foreign militant agents, while extortion networks operating in Peshawar and other districts, according to the report.
