In a shocking turn of events, at least 11 police officers, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) and a sub-inspector, were killed, and 12 others injured in an ambush in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Wednesday. The incident occurred when the police team was traveling through the Gambat area of Kohat to conduct a raid against illegal gold mining. They were attacked in the Darbokach Jalandhar Banda area, between Kohat and Karak, with gunmen opening fire from surrounding hilltops. The attack left several police vehicles damaged and five police mobile vehicles set on fire.
The attackers continued firing at the personnel, triggering a heavy exchange of fire. Reinforcements were rushed to the area as police and security forces attempted to contain the attackers. Rescue 1122 confirmed the death toll, with another 12 police personnel injured. Gambat DSP Haider Zaman and Sub-Inspector Mukhtiar were among those killed in the attack.
The governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi, strongly condemned the attack and directed authorities to ensure those responsible are brought to justice. The governor described the assault as a highly condemnable and cowardly act, paying tribute to the policemen killed in the attack and offering condolences to their families.
This latest attack is part of a series of attacks targeting police and security personnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in recent months. The threat has continued into 2026, with incidents increasing by 195% between March 2024 and September 2026, according to two security reports presented to Pakistan's federal cabinet in October. The number of attacks in Pakistan has increased every year since 2022, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED).