Four policemen killed in two armed attacks in northwest Pakistan
In a new security escalation hitting northwestern Pakistan, Pakistani police announced on Sunday the killing of four of their members in two separate incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which has been witnessing increasing security tensions recently.
Details of the attacks in Saray Norang and Banu
Security sources explained in an official statement that the first incident occurred in the city of Sarai Nurang, where unidentified gunmen targeted a traffic police patrol. The surprise attack resulted in the deaths of three police officers at the scene, while the assailants fled to an unknown location before security reinforcements arrived.
In a separate incident that occurred almost simultaneously, a police officer was assassinated in the neighboring city of Bannu as he was traveling from his home to work at the police station. Reports indicate that gunmen shot him at point-blank range, killing him instantly. This brought the number of police casualties to four within a few hours.
Security context and challenges of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province
These attacks come amid a wave of violence in northwestern Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan. This region has historically been a hotspot in the war on terror, with several militant groups active there. Attacks against security forces and police have escalated significantly since the end of the ceasefire between the Pakistani government and the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) in late 2022.
Observers of Pakistani affairs point out that targeting policemen, especially traffic police or individual officers, has become a tactic used by armed groups to destabilize the country and assert their presence, given that police units are often less armed and fortified compared to army and special forces units.
Security measures and ongoing investigations
Following the two incidents, security forces cordoned off the targeted areas and launched extensive search operations for the perpetrators. Police confirmed they are continuing their intensive investigations to gather forensic evidence and trace the attackers' escape routes. As of the time of this report, no group has claimed direct responsibility for the attacks, but suspicion in such incidents often falls on armed groups active in the tribal areas.
This escalation poses a major challenge to the Pakistani government, which seeks to enforce the rule of law and secure border areas, amid fears that these attacks will affect regional stability and the lives of civilians in those vital areas.
