Four police officers killed in separate militant attacks in northern Pakistan

At least four police officers were killed and several others wounded in two separate militant attacks in northern Pakistan, officials said, as security forces responded and investigations continued.

In the first incident, one police officer was killed and four others wounded when militants attacked a police vehicle assigned to protect a polio vaccination team in Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Irfan Tariq, the regional police officer, said the officers were traveling to provide security for polio teams when militants opened fire near Chapri Waziran, within the jurisdiction of Thall police station.

“Four police officers were injured in the attack, while one constable, Israr-ul-Haq, a resident of Shangla district, was killed,” Tariq said.

He identified the injured as Munawar Khan, Mujahid Sharif, Waseem and Shah Zaman, adding they were shifted to a hospital and were in stable condition.

Tariq said police responded with an exchange of fire, and initial reports indicated two attackers were killed. He added that fleeing assailants took the bodies of their accomplices.

Security forces later cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to track down other militants involved, he said.

Polio campaign continues

Tariq said the ongoing polio vaccination campaign in Hangu would continue despite the attack, adding that such incidents would not undermine police morale.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi condemned the attack and sought a report from the provincial police chief.

He described the targeting of personnel engaged in a national duty as a “cowardly act,” saying militants would not succeed in their aims.

According to the Emergency Operations Center, a four-day anti-polio campaign has begun in the province, targeting more than 6.5 million children under age 5.

Officials said 35,500 polio teams have been formed, with more than 50,000 security personnel deployed to ensure their protection.

Attack during anti-poppy operation

In a separate incident in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region, three police officers were killed and five others injured when unidentified attackers opened fire on a police team.

Shabir Mir, a spokesperson for the Gilgit-Baltistan government, said five to six armed assailants using automatic weapons targeted officers at Thor Siri in Chilas during an anti-poppy operation.

“Three police personnel were martyred in the attack, while five others, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police, were injured,” he said.

Dr Nawab Khan, medical superintendent at the Regional Headquarters Hospital, said an emergency was declared following the attack.

“The injured have sustained multiple gunshot wounds and are undergoing surgery,” he said, adding their condition would be assessed afterward.

Authorities did not immediately identify the attackers in either incident.