MOHMAND: Two police officers, including an additional station house officer (SHO), lost their lives, and a third was injured when the militant group Fitna al‑Khawarij opened fire on a police patrol in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Mohmand district on Thursday night, according to authorities.
Fitna al‑Khawarij is the state designation for militants affiliated with the banned Tehrik‑i‑Taliban Pakistan.
A police statement said the attack took place near the Warsak Lift Canal in the Machni area, within the jurisdiction of Ekkaghund police station, where a mobile patrol came under heavy gunfire from the armed attackers.
According to officials, Additional SHO Zaitullah and Elite Force constable Noor Zeb gave their lives while responding to the assault. The vehicle’s driver, Zahir, sustained serious injuries and was transported to Peshawar for further treatment after initial care.
The statement noted that the officers reacted swiftly and decisively, forcing the attackers to withdraw.
It added that, according to verified sources, several militants were reportedly killed during the gunfight. The attackers abandoned an M4 rifle, a Kalashnikov assault rifle, and three loaded magazines at the scene before fleeing.
Shortly after the incident, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ekkaghund Circle Dilfaraz Khan, SHO Qasim Jan, and additional police units arrived, cordoned off the area, and launched a search and clearance operation. A manhunt was declared to apprehend the fugitives.
Authorities reiterated their commitment to continue operations against Fitna al‑Khawarij militants until the threat is fully eliminated, affirming that the sacrifices of the fallen officers will not be in vain.
The martyred officers were laid to rest with full state honours at the Police Lines in Ghalanai early Friday.
The funeral prayers were attended by Mohmand District Police Officer (DPO) Raza Mohammad, Mohmand Rifles Commandant Asim Mahmood, Member of the National Assembly Sajid Khan, and other senior police and civil administration officials.
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