LAKKI MARWAT: At least eight policemen were injured when a group of terrorists ambushed a police team in the Darga Saheedan area within the jurisdiction of Khurrum Police Station in Karak district on Wednesday.

District Police Officer (DPO) spokesperson Shaukat Khan confirmed the attack and said it occurred when a joint team of local police and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) commandos was conducting a search-and-strike operation in the mountainous region.

Terrorists attacked the law enforcement personnel from a hilltop using sophisticated weapons, injuring eight policemen, the spokesperson said.

The official said the injured policemen were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital, where they were reported to be in stable condition and out of danger.

A police vehicle was also damaged in the attack, added the spokesperson.

“We have credible reports that several assailants were killed, and their accomplices injured in an intense exchange of fire,” he claimed.

After the attack, an additional police force led by DPO Imran Khan reached the venue and launched a search operation.

“A sanitisation operation is ongoing in the area to neutralise any other terrorists, if found,” the spokesperson added.

He said police had beefed up security and tightened checks at the entry and exit points of the district.

Last month, a police officer in Lakki Marwat’s remote Shadikhel area was martyred when terrorists attacked a police post.

In another incident last month, terrorists affiliated with Fitna-al-Khawarij planted an improvised explosive device at the house of Constable Tehsil Khan.

Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.