KOHAT: The police repulsed a rocket and gun attack on Khurram Muhammadzai police station in Karak district’s Banda Daud Shah tehsil on Tuesday night, forcing militants to flee, officials said on Wednesday.

However, they said a constable was injured when a splinter from a wall struck him.

Karak district police officer Sajjad Ahmed Khan and DSP Nazir Hussain said that the militants attacked the police station from its backside.

Following the attack, they said a police contingent along with a squad of Quick Response Force was sent to the area, and the personnel gave a ‘befitting’ response to the attackers, forcing them to flee.

They said that militants had come from Bannu side after crossing a mountainous terrain. They added that there were nine cops present inside the police station, who were alert to the looming danger following a spate of attacks on police in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

DSP Nazir told Dawn on phone that eight to 10 militants attacked the police station with heavy and light weapons at around 12.30am. He said that additional force was sent from the nearby police stations to Khurram Muhammadzai.

Later, he said announcements were made from mosque loudspeakers, after which 250 to 300 local residents came for help of law enforcers. He said that the police cordoned off the area and launched a search and clearance operation.

DSP Nazir said that militants fled after they faced ‘stiff’ resistance from inside the police station.

DPO Ahmed said the people by providing timely response had proved that the terrorists were their common enemies, who wanted to create a law and order situation.

He said the police were vigilant and capable of giving prompt response to such cowardly acts by the enemies of the country.

The Counter-Terrorism Department registered a case against unknown attackers and started investigations.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2023