Policeman martyred in targeted attack as KP faces rising militant threat

• Motorcycle-borne assailants kill officer in Mamma Khel, Bannu
• Martyr was deployed at Mazanga checkpoint when attacked

BANNU: A policeman was martyred on Sunday in an apparent targeted attack by unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, police officials confirmed.

According to a police statement, the incident occurred in the Mamma Khel area under the jurisdiction of Haved Police Station. The martyred officer, identified as Iqbal, was deployed at the Mazanga police checkpoint when he was shot.

District Police Officer (DPO) Yasir Afridi said, “Iqbal was in his native village of Akhund Mamma Khel after offering evening prayers when motorcycle riders opened fire on him in front of his house, killing him on the spot.”

Following the attack, a heavy contingent of police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation. Investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The security situation in KP has deteriorated over the past three years, with a surge in terrorist attacks, particularly after the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) broke its ceasefire with the government in 2022, vowing to target security forces and police personnel.

Last month, Bannu Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sajjad Khan revealed that 27 police personnel were martyred in 134 terrorist attacks in the district during 2025, while 79 sustained injuries. In retaliatory operations, police killed 53 terrorists and injured 163 others. Additionally, 168 intelligence-based operations led to the arrest of 105 terrorists, with successful action taken against 170 militants overall.

Meanwhile, an important jirga was held in Bannu under Brigadier Umair Niazi, commander of 116 Brigade, and Deputy Commissioner Faheem Khan, with elders of the Jani Khel community. The meeting reviewed the district’s security and administrative situation.

During the jirga, demands were raised regarding law and order, road repair, action against absentee teachers, and restoration of 4G internet services. Brigadier Niazi assured the elders that peace and stability would be maintained, directed government employees to resume duties, stressed avoiding contact with terrorists under a zero-tolerance policy, and announced that all roads in Bannu would reopen after completion of security arrangements.

The jirga elders appreciated the steps taken by law enforcement and pledged full cooperation to restore normalcy.