Dera Ismail Khan, December 3, 2025: Three police personnel, including an assistant sub-inspector (ASI), were martyred on Wednesday when militants targeted a police vehicle in the Panyala area of Dera Ismail Khan district, according to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police.
A KP police spokesperson said the attackers had planted an improvised explosive device (IED) on the roadside, which detonated as the police vehicle passed. The blast was followed by gunfire from the assailants.
Security forces cordoned off the area, and a search operation was launched to trace the perpetrators, the spokesperson added.
The attack comes a day after four people — including two policemen and North Waziristan Assistant Commissioner Shah Waliullah — were martyred by unidentified gunmen in Bannu district, underscoring the persistent security challenges in the region.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and KP Governor Faisal Kundi strongly condemned the attack on the police mobile.
In a statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, praying for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks and extending heartfelt condolences to their families. He directed authorities to ensure the injured officers receive the best possible medical treatment and ordered law enforcement to identify and bring the attackers to justice.
The premier also paid tribute to the sacrifices of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police in the ongoing fight against terrorism, reiterating the government’s firm resolve to eradicate the menace.
Pakistan has witnessed a sharp resurgence in terrorist attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since 2021 — the year the Afghan Taliban took control in Kabul.
A police report revealed that KP recorded over 600 terror incidents in the first eight months of 2025 alone, resulting in the martyrdom of at least 79 police personnel and 138 civilians.
Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban to prevent militant groups from using Afghan soil for attacks against Pakistan. Tensions between the two sides have escalated in recent months, including cross-border strikes by Afghan forces and retaliatory actions by Pakistan.
