Police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa repelled a militant attack on Baka Khel station, as a separate roadside blast caused no casualties nearby.
By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi
BANNU: Police in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province said they had foiled an overnight militant attack on a police station in Baka Khel, after an exchange of gunfire forced the assailants to flee.
Officials said the attackers opened fire on the station late Monday, prompting a swift and coordinated response from officers on duty. The ensuing gun battle lasted several minutes before the militants retreated under the cover of darkness. Police later launched a search operation in the surrounding area to track down those involved, though no arrests had been made by Tuesday morning.
A police spokesperson described the incident as a “targeted assault” aimed at undermining security efforts in the volatile district, which has witnessed sporadic militant activity in recent months. “Our personnel responded effectively and prevented any damage or casualties,” the spokesperson said.
In a separate security incident, a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) detonated in the nearby Toor Kaki area, officials confirmed. The blast caused no injuries or damage but reinforced concerns about a possible resurgence of militant activity in parts of the province.
District Police Officer Salim Abbas Kulaachi said the force remained on high alert and was fully prepared to counter any further attacks. “Police are vigilant and ready to respond to terrorism in all its forms,” he said, adding that patrols and intelligence operations had been intensified across the district.
The twin incidents underscored the persistent security challenges facing law enforcement in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a region that borders Afghanistan and has long been a flashpoint for militant violence. While authorities have claimed significant gains in recent counter-terrorism operations, sporadic attacks continue to test the resilience of the province’s security infrastructure.
