Kohat: 10 police personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), were killed when armed assailants attacked a police team heading to an operation against illegal gold mining in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Kohat district on Wednesday, police said.
The attack occurred in the Darabo Kach area near Jalandhar Banda, between Kohat and Karak, within Gumbat’s jurisdiction.
According to a Kohat police spokesperson, the team was travelling to conduct a raid against suspected illegal gold mining activities when it came under fire.
Initial reports put the death toll at six, but police later confirmed that the number rose to 10.
Among those killed were DSP Gumbat Haider Zaman and Sub Inspector Mukhtiar.
Police vehicles reportedly set ablaze
According to local reports, the assailants opened fire on the police team from elevated positions in the surrounding mountainous terrain.
Sources also reported that police vehicles were set on fire during the attack.
Initial accounts suggested that as many as five police vehicles were affected, although this figure was independently confirmed.
The police spokesperson said additional personnel were dispatched to the area as firing continued.
Authorities also requested reinforcements to secure the affected location and respond to the attack.
Emergency declared at district hospital
Following the incident, an emergency was declared at the District Headquarters Teaching Hospital in Kohat.
Police and emergency personnel were mobilised as authorities responded to the reported casualties.
The attack occurred amid ongoing operations against illegal gold mining in parts of Kohat, where authorities recently intensified enforcement measures.
The identity and affiliation of the attackers were not established in the available reports.
Police described the incident as a terrorist attack, but no group confirmed responsibility.
Further details concerning the number of vehicles damaged, additional casualties, and the outcome of the security response are still awaited.
