SHO among seven policemen martyred in Lakki Marwat IED attack

• Police mobile van targeted with an IED planted along Shahdi Khel-Masti Khel Road

• KP CM Afridi calls martyrdom ‘extremely tragic,’ assures families of full support

 LAKKI MARWAT/PESHAWAR: At least seven police personnel, including the Station House Officer (SHO) of Shadi Khel Police, were martyred in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast targeting a police mobile van in Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), officials confirmed on Friday.

“The police mobile van came under attack in the Bettani subdivision while on routine patrol,” said Qudratullah, spokesperson for the district police officer.

لکی مروت:-فتنہ الخوارج کی بزدلانہ کارروائی.

فتنہ الخوارج کاخیبر پختونخوا پولیس پر ایک پھر بزدلانہ حملہ

بیٹنی کے علاقے میں پولیس پر آئی ای ڈی حملہ،7 پولیس اہلکار شہید ہوگئے. pic.twitter.com/qXK3Sm7GNY

— KP Police (@KP_Police1) March 13, 2026

Six officers, including the SHO and five constables, were killed instantly, he added.

The terrorists had planted an IED along the Shahdi Khel-Masti Khel Road to target law enforcement personnel.

Rescue teams rushed to the site, and the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, where one more officer later succumbed to injuries, bringing the total fatalities to seven.

The martyrs have been identified as SHO Sadr Azam, driver Shah Behram, and Constables Shah Khalid, Haji Muhammad, Gul Zada, Sakhi Zada, and Insaf Uddin.

A large police contingent reached the area to launch a search operation for the perpetrators.

Provincial leadership condemns attack

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi described the martyrdom of the officers as “extremely tragic” and sought a detailed report from the provincial police chief. He assured that the government stands in full solidarity with the families of the fallen officers and directed authorities to provide the best possible medical care for the injured. “Such cowardly acts of terrorism will not weaken the government’s resolve to eliminate militancy,” he added.

 National leadership reacts

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, expressing “deep sorrow” over the loss of seven police personnel. In a statement from the PMO, he prayed for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks and strength for their families, while also wishing a speedy recovery for the injured. He reiterated that the sacrifices of police and security forces in the fight against terrorism “will never be allowed to go in vain.”

President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the attack and prayed for the martyrs, emphasizing the state’s unwavering resolve against terrorism, while Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called it a “cowardly act” targeting the nation’s brave security forces. The minister paid tribute to the martyrs, saying, “Our martyrs are our pride, and their sacrifices will always be remembered.”

 Escalating violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

According to the Annual Security Report 2025 by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), KP witnessed a significant surge in violence last year, with fatalities rising from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025. This represents an increase of 711 deaths, accounting for over 82% of the net national rise, and a 44% year-on-year surge in provincial violence.

In recent weeks, police personnel have repeatedly come under attack:

Last month, nine officers, including a DSP, were martyred in Bhakkar (Punjab), Kohat, and Wana (KP).

Days earlier, three Federal Constabulary men were martyred in Karak.

Abducted policeman found dead

Separately, a policeman who was abducted on Thursday, Shah Munir Khan (54), was found dead in War Mamund tehsil of Bajaur district on Friday. Police officials said he was kidnapped near Dama Dola area while returning home on leave and later shot at an unknown location. Senior police teams recovered his body.

Law enforcement personnel in KP have increasingly come under attack in recent weeks. Last week, a policeman was martyred in War Mamund when unidentified terrorists opened fire on a police post. In February, four cops were martyred and two wounded in an ambush on a patrol party in Bajaur.