KOHAT: One police officer and two others sustained injuries while three militants were killed during a counter-terrorism operation in the mountainous areas of Dar Malik and adjoining regions of Kohat district on Saturday.
Regional Police Officer (RPO), Kohat region, Abbas Majid Marwat said police and security forces launched a search operation following intelligence reports about the presence of terrorists in the area. During the operation, he said, the militants hiding in the forested hills opened fire on the police party.
As a result, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Ashfaq embraced martyrdom, while constables Yasir and Shafqat Mehmood sustained minor injuries.
Police retaliated effectively and killed three terrorists on the spot, he said, adding, their bodies were later shifted to a local hospital. Several other militants managed to escape into the mountains, and a drone-assisted search operation is ongoing to trace them.
Rescue 1122 teams provided first aid to the injured personnel before transferring them to the District Headquarters Hospital, Kohat. Senior police officials, including RPO Abbas Majid Marwat and District Police Officer (DPO) Dr. Zahid Khan, were present on the ground to supervise the operation.
The funeral prayer of the martyred ASI Ashfaq was offered at Police Lines, Kohat, with full state honours.
The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Kohat chapter, led by commander Kaleemullah, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi has praised Kohat police for their successful operation against militants, in which three attackers were killed. He commended the police for their professionalism and timely action, which thwarted the terrorists’ “nefarious designs.”
The minister paid glowing tribute to martyred Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Ashfaq, who lost his life in the exchange of fire, and expressed heartfelt condolences to his family. He also prayed for the early recovery of two injured policemen.