Two martyred in terrorist assault on Yarik Police Station, Customs Office

PESHAWAR: Two officials were martyred and two others injured when militants launched a coordinated attack on the Yarik police station and a nearby customs office in Dera Ismail Khan on Wednesday, police said.

According to officials, the assailants opened fire with automatic weapons on the police station and the customs facility situated along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) route, a key artery for trade and transport.

A police spokesperson identified the martyred officials as customs officer Israr Khan and police constable Mohammad Bilal. Two others—Hazrat Umar and Khayal Mohammad—sustained injuries and were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital’s trauma centre for treatment.

During the assault, militants also fired at passenger buses travelling along the CPEC route, triggering panic among commuters. A customs vehicle parked at the site was set ablaze.

Security personnel responded promptly, returning fire and forcing the attackers to flee. A heavy police contingent later cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace those involved. Investigations into the incident are underway.

The attack comes amid a surge in militant violence in the district. Earlier this month, four policemen, including a station house officer, were martyred in an ambush on a police party in the Paniala area. On January 24, five people—including a local peace committee leader—were killed and 10 others injured in a suspected suicide blast at a wedding ceremony in the district.