DERA ISMAIL KHAN/BANNU: Four police personnel, including an SHO, embraced martyrdom and two officials sustained injuries in a terrorist ambush in Dera Ismail Khan on Wednesday.

Police sources said a search operation was being conducted under the supervision of Paharpur SP Iqbal Baloch and DSP Hafiz Adnan, following intelligence reports about terrorists’ presence in the Wanda Budh area of Dera Ismail Khan. They said seeing the police, the terrorists opened fire on them and an exchange of fire ensued.

They said SHO Faheem Mumtaz, Constable Irfan Khan, Constable Ghulam Subhani, and Constable Wajahat embraced martyrdom while DSP Hafiz Adnan and ASI Tariq were wounded in the firing.

While the martyrs and the wounded officers were rushed to the Dera DHQ hospital for treatment, a heavy contingent of police, led by Dera DPO Sajad Ahmed Sahebzada, reached the scene and launched a search operation to apprehend the attackers.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Chief Minister Sohail Afridi praised the bravery and sacrifice of Dera police in protecting the public and the nation. The governor directed the authorities concerned that all possible medical care be provided to the injured officers and prayed for their speedy recovery.

The chief minister, meanwhile, vowed to speed up operations to root out “anti-peace elements” in the province.

Bannu attack foiled

Meanwhile, police claimed to have thwarted an attack on a post in Bannu, leaving three attackers dead and nine other terrorists wounded, officials said.

Officials said a terrorist attempt to seize control of the Khonia Khel police post in the Wazir sub-division was foiled after a late-night assault, adding that police retaliated promptly, killing three attackers on the spot while leaving nine other wounded.

Two of the terrorists killed were identified as commander Umar Azam alias Khizmeti and Shahidullah. During the exchange of fire, one police officer sustained minor injuries.

On the directives of Bannu Sajjad Khan and Bannu DPO Yasir Afridi, additional police contingents along with Quick Response Force and Rapid Response Force units were dispatched to the area.

Also, terrorists atte­mpted to attack the Ahmadzai police station and Fateh Khel police post last night, officials said, adding that both attempts were thwarted.

In addition, armed men attacked a vehicle of Bannu’s Havid police station, but fled when the police retaliated.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2026