A militant assault in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan late Friday night left seven police personnel martyred, while security forces killed at least five terrorists, including a suicide bomber, officials confirmed on Saturday. The attack targeted the Police Training School, where heavily armed militants launched their assault with a suicide explosion before attempting to storm the compound. According to police, a fierce exchange of fire ensued as officers at the facility fought back with full force, managing to hold their ground and prevent the attackers from breaching key areas. A senior police official said that the gunfight quickly turned in favour of the security forces, who successfully repelled the terrorists before reinforcements arrived to secure the area. Deputy Superintendent of Police Hafiz Muhammad Adnan stated that all the militants involved in the assault were neutralized. He added that the attack began around 8:30 p.m., and the clearance operation continued late into the night. The District Headquarters (DHQ) Trauma Centre confirmed that 13 injured personnel were shifted to the facility for medical treatment following the attack. Meanwhile, the Director General Public Relations reported that over 200 police officers and recruits present at the training centre during the assault were safely evacuated. He further confirmed that both the Police Training School and the nearby National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) office, which was also under threat, were completely secured. The attack drew strong condemnation from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who called it a cowardly act of terrorism. In a statement, the minister paid tribute to the fallen officers, saying, “The police personnel embraced martyrdom while courageously thwarting the terrorists’ heinous plans.” Naqvi offered condolences to the families of the martyrs and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured, commending the police for their bravery, professionalism, and resolve in defending the nation against terror. “The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police have made unparalleled sacrifices in the war against terrorism,” he added. “The entire nation salutes the brave sons of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police for their heroism and dedication.” Naqvi reaffirmed the government’s resolve to continue the fight against terrorism, stressing that such attacks would not weaken the national will. Acting Senate Chairman Syedaal Khan also condemned the attack, saying that the terrorists aimed to destabilise the country but would not succeed in their designs. He praised the bravery of the police force, lauded their sacrifices, and emphasized that the nation stands united against terrorism. “The blood of our brave sentinels will not go in vain. Pakistan’s resolve against terrorism remains unwavering,” he said. DI Khan remains in crosshairs of terrorists An army officer on Thursday embraced martyrdom in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Dera Ismail Khan, during which seven Indian proxy terrorists were eliminated, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The IBO was conducted on October 8 in the Daraban area on the reported presence of terrorists. In the pursuing operation featuring heavy exchange of fire, Pakistan Army’s Major Sibtain Haider, who was leading his troops from the front, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice. The martyred officer was 30 years old and was a resident of Quetta district. Reacting to the development, President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to martyred Major Sibtain and said the officer had “set a great example by sacrificing his life in defence of the country”. In a separate statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also lauded the security forces for a successful operation against the Fitna al-Khawarij a term used for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The PM paid tribute to the officers and personnel of the security forces for their bravery and professionalism, and offered special praise for martyred Major Sibtain. “The entire nation, including myself, is proud of the courageous officers and soldiers of our armed forces, who remain engaged day and night in defending the country,” the premier said in a statement. Renewed bid to uproot terrorism in Pakistan Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has affirmed Pakistan Armed Forces’ renewed resolve to uproot terrorism and dismantle the “political-criminal nexus”, which he says is responsible for the surge in militant incidents in the province. Addressing a press conference at Peshawar Corps Headquarters on Friday, Lt Gen Chaudhry said all political leaders had agreed after the APS tragedy in 2014 to adopt a unified approach through the National Action Plan (NAP), but “subsequent governments failed to ensure continuity”. He added that while the revised plan was rebranded as “Azm-e-Istehkam” by the current government, “implementation on its 14 points remains incomplete”. He reaffirmed the armed forces’ resolve to uproot terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations”, paying tribute to the security personnel and civilians who laid down their lives in the line of duty. Later on, the ISPR chief said that terrorists and their facilitators were given space in KP under the “well-thought-out plot”. The governance and public welfare were deliberately affected, he added. Violence on the rise Pakistan has witnessed an alarming 46% surge in overall violence in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, as per the latest statistics issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). The country reported at least 901 fatalities and 599 injuries, including civilians, security personnel and the terrorists, in a total of 329 incidents of violence, which also included terror attacks and counter-terror operations. KP and Balochistan both of which share a porous border with neighbouring Afghanistan faced the brunt of the terrorism incidents, accounting for more than 96% of the total violence across the country. KP was the worst-hit region, suffering nearly 71% (638) of the total violence-linked fatalities, and over 67% (221) of the incidents of violence, followed by Balochistan, with over 25% fatalities (230) and incidents (85).
Seven policemen martyred, five militants gunned down in DI Khan training centre assault
