Five police officers killed in militant ambush in northwest Pakistan

At least five police officers were killed after suspected militants ambushed a police vehicle in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, officials said.

District Police Officer Saud Khan said the police team was deployed on security duty with a gas-producing company when militants attacked their vehicle near the Amankot area of Karak district.

“Five police personnel were traveling in the vehicle, and all were killed in the incident,” he said.

The attackers set the police vehicle on fire, completely destroying it, the DPO added.

The slain officers were identified as Shahid, Iqbal, Saddar, Arif and Abrar, officials said.

The DPO later arrived at the site with additional forces, cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to track down the attackers.

No militant group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, despite the active presence of armed groups in the area.

Security analysts said the assault may have been carried out in retaliation for the killing of a local Taliban commander, Kalim, who was killed two days earlier in a strike near the same area.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the attack, calling it a highly deplorable and inhumane act.

He said those who target police officers tasked with protecting the lives and property of citizens deserve no leniency, adding that the sacrifices of police personnel in restoring peace and law and order would not go in vain.

Sohail Afridi, Chief Minister KP, called the incident tragic and reprehensible, saying those responsible for the attack would be brought to justice and punished.

Afridi reaffirmed that maintaining law and order remains the government’s top priority, adding that such cowardly attacks cannot weaken the resolve of the state.

Karak has seen a renewed surge in militant activity in recent years, particularly targeting security forces, government officials and infrastructure linked to the energy sector.

While historically considered relatively calmer than other parts of the province, Karak has increasingly come under threat from armed groups operating in nearby regions.

Security experts say such attacks are often aimed at undermining law enforcement efforts and destabilizing local security, prompting frequent counterterrorism operations and heightened vigilance.