MOHMAND/SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: A sub-inspector was wounded when attackers opened firing on a police post in Mohmand district whereas five civilians received injuries when mortar shells fired from Afghanistan landed in Angor Adda area of South Waziristan Lower.

Officials in Mohmand district said that unidentified assailants opened firing on Sher Makhano police checkpost in the limits of Ekkaghund police station on Wednesday night.

They said that sub-inspector Sher Azam Khan sustained an injury to his foot in the attack, prompting policemen manning the picket to return the fire.

Peshawar-Bajaur highway was temporarily closed to traffic due to the firing as a precautionary measure. Later, the road was reopened to traffic.

The injured sub-inspector was rushed to rural health centre in Ekkaghund.

In South Waziristan Lower, civilians in Pakistan’s border areas were targeted by Afghan Taliban on Wednesday, as mortar shells fired from across the border landed in Angoor Adda, a village in Birmal tehsil.

According to sources, the shells hit homes of Kareem Khan and Rehmatullah, injuring five people, including four children and one woman. The children’s ages range from three to thirteen years. All the injured were shifted to district headquarters hospital in Wana.

Security officials said that locals expressed deep shock and distress over the incident. Just a few days ago, the same area witnessed unprovoked firing from Afghanistan, resulting in injuries to three individuals, highlighting the fragile security situation in the region.

In response, Pakistan Army retaliated and targeted firing positions along the border with both small and heavy weapons.

According to security sources, Afghan Taliban abandoned their posts and fled the area following army’s decisive action. The swift and effective response by Pakistani forces successfully forced militants into retreat, preventing further civilian casualties, they added.

Locals have urged authorities to take measures to prevent such cross-border attacks in future, emphasising the need for safeguarding lives and properties of civilians.

Officials said that Pakistan Army remained vigilant in ensuring safety of border populations, while local authorities continued to monitor the situation closely. Security analysts warn that sustained cross-border hostilities pose a persistent challenge to stability of Lower South Waziristan and neighbouring areas.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2026