BANNU: A head constable embraced martyrdom on Saturday when a police vehicle came under a sudden militant attack in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The incident occurred in the Sheikhan Mama Khel area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Haved Police Station. During the intense exchange of fire that followed, security forces managed to eliminate two terrorists, while at least four other attackers sustained injuries.
The martyred official has been identified as Head Constable Dilnawaz Khan. According to Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan, the police party was performing routine duties when militants opened fire and subsequently set the police vehicle on blaze. Three other personnel were injured in the assault and were immediately moved to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. RPO Sajjad Khan visited the facility to inquire after their health and confirmed that two motorcycles belonging to the attackers were taken into custody.
In a separate but related incident in Bannu’s Wazir tehsil, the Ahmadzai Police successfully repulsed another militant attempt near the under-construction circular road in Khara Ghora. The effective retaliatory fire from the police forced the attackers to flee the scene, with local reports suggesting several militants were injured during the retreat. Security forces have since launched a comprehensive search operation across the region to apprehend the remaining suspects.
These events highlight a concerning trend in the province. According to the Annual Security Report 2025 by the Centre for Research and Security Studies, fatalities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rose significantly last year, increasing from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025. Bannu has remained a flashpoint for such violence, with recent incidents including a suicide attack in February and the bombing of a government school earlier this week. In response, the state has intensified counter-terrorism operations across the province.
Earlier this month, security forces neutralized thirteen terrorists in various operations. The latest clash in Bannu underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement as they work to maintain regional stability and eliminate militant hideouts in the border regions.
