SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: An additional station house officer (ASHO) was injured when his vehicle was ambushed by unidentified armed assailants in the Sarvekai area of Upper South Waziristan district on Sunday morning, police officials said.

They said ASHO Mirjan Shah was driving to the police station to join duty after leave when he was targeted by the attackers near Madina Mor. Around six to seven armed men lying in wait opened fire on his vehicle, the officials added.

District police officer Mohammad Arshad Khan said Mirjan Shah also returned fire after being ambushed.

“The ASHO demonstrated bravery by returning fire, which forced the assailants to flee,” the DPO said.

During the exchange of fire, Mirjan Shah sustained injuries to his hand and shoulder after two bullets grazed him; however, his wounds were not life-threatening, he said.

Upon receiving information, the SHO of the Sarvekai police station rushed to the spot along with a contingent. The injured was taken to the Army Hospital at 315 Brigade Sarwekai, where he was stated to be stable.

Meanwhile, a terrorist was killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in the Daraban tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan on Sunday, the police said.

According to police officials, the exchange of fire took place within the jurisdiction of Daraban police station, where security forces engaged the terrorist, Qari Suhail, during an intelligence-based action.

The police said the terrorist was wanted in multiple cases of target killings and attacks on law enforcement personnel.

Also, the Bajaur police foiled a terror bid by safely defusing an explosive device in a hilly area of Salarzai tehsil the other day.

According to a statement, the anti-personnel mine was placed in the Batmali area. Upon receiving the information about the presence of the device from the residents, bomb disposal squad personnel were dispatched to the area. The BDS personnel recovered the device and safely defused it.

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2026