Dera Ismail Khan, October 12, 2025: Six policemen, including trainee officers, were martyred and five terrorists with alleged Indian backing were killed when militants launched a late-night assault on a police training school in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), terrorists attempted to storm the facility between the night of October 10 and 11 by breaching its perimeter security.
“In a cowardly terrorist attack, Khwarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al-Khwarij targeted the Police Training School in Dera Ismail Khan,” the ISPR said.
The attackers rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the school’s gate in an attempt to break through, but the on-duty police personnel responded swiftly, engaging the militants in a fierce gun battle.
Three of the attackers were killed on the spot, while two others were neutralised during a subsequent clearance operation by security forces.
In the intense exchange of fire, six policemen embraced martyrdom after putting up a valiant fight. Twelve policemen and one civilian were injured in the assault, the statement added.
The ISPR further stated that the terrorists also desecrated the mosque inside the training school, killing the mosque’s imam in cold blood — an act it described as “barbaric” and “inhumane.”
“Security forces, alongside law enforcement agencies, remain steadfast in their resolve to eradicate Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country,” the ISPR concluded, adding that sanitisation operations in the area were underway.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Hafiz Muhammad Adnan said the assault began around 8:30 p.m. and continued late into the night. He confirmed that all the militants involved had been eliminated through a joint operation by police and security forces.
The attack drew widespread condemnation from national leadership, who paid tribute to the fallen officers and reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to eliminate terrorism.
President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the “terrorist attack by Khwarij elements,” praising the courage of the martyred policemen and expressing solidarity with their families.
“The sacrifices of our brave sons for the protection of the motherland are exemplary,” he said, adding that the nation and security forces stand united until terrorism is completely eradicated.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the assault as a “cowardly act of violence” and lauded the KP police for their timely and courageous response.
He paid tribute to the martyrs, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, and directed authorities to ensure the best medical care.
“The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police have always stood on the front lines in the fight against terrorism. The entire nation salutes these heroes,” the premier said, reiterating his government’s resolve to “wipe out terrorism from every corner of the country.”
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the attack, calling it a “failed attempt by terrorists to undermine peace.”
“Our brave policemen turned the terrorists’ nefarious designs into dust,” Naqvi said, adding that such sacrifices would not go in vain.
He reaffirmed the government’s determination to continue the fight until terrorism is completely defeated.
Acting Senate Chairman Syedaal Khan praised the heroism of the police personnel, stating that the terrorists aimed to destabilise Pakistan but would never succeed.
“The blood of our brave sentinels will not go in vain. Pakistan’s resolve against terrorism remains unwavering,” he said.
Security sources confirmed that search and sanitisation operations in and around the Dera Ismail Khan district continue to ensure no further threat remains. Authorities have heightened security at other sensitive installations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The latest attack underscores the continued threat posed by militant networks in the region, even as Pakistan’s law enforcement and armed forces maintain a united front against terrorism.
