15 martyred as terrorists target joint checkpost in Tank: ISPR

• Military media wing says 12 soldiers, two policemen and one forest official embrace martyrdom in foiled attack

• Security forces thwart bid to overrun joint police checkpost before explosive-laden vehicle detonates

• Military vows relentless counter-terrorism campaign under Azm-i-Istehkam

 RAWALPINDI/TANK: Fifteen people, including 12 soldiers, two policemen and a government forest official, embraced martyrdom after terrorists launched a suicide assault on a joint police checkpost in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Tank district early Friday, the military’s media wing said.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the attack was carried out by Fitna al-Khawarij, a term used by the state for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

🚨🚨🚨 ISPR
Rawalpindi, 24 July 2026

On night 23/24 July 2026, a cowardly terrorist attack was carried out on Joint Police Check Post in Tank District, Pakistan, by Khwarij belonging to Indian-sponsored, Fitna Al Khwarij.

The assailants sought to breach the check post security;… pic.twitter.com/1aAqIgvYRW

— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) July 24, 2026

The military said the terrorists attempted to breach the perimeter of the joint checkpost, but their assault was “swiftly and decisively foiled” by the vigilant response of the security personnel stationed there.

The defenders displayed “unwavering courage and professional excellence”, engaging the attackers in a fierce exchange of fire and eliminating 15 terrorists before they could overrun the post, the ISPR said.

However, following the failed assault, the attackers rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the checkpost’s perimeter wall, triggering a powerful explosion that caused extensive damage to the infrastructure.

“Due to the blast impact, infrastructure at the checkpost was seriously damaged; resultantly, 15 brave sons of the soil, including 12 military personnel, two policemen and a government official from the Forest Department, rendered the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat (martyrdom),” the ISPR statement said.

The military said a sanitisation operation was continuing in the area to track down any terrorists who might still be present.

Reaffirming the country's resolve to eliminate militancy, the ISPR said the relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue at full pace to eradicate the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from Pakistan.

“These sacrifices of our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation at all costs,” the statement added.

The latest attack comes only days after security forces killed 24 terrorists in Bannu district and adjoining areas during a series of intelligence-based operations.

According to an earlier ISPR statement, there had been a recent surge in terrorist attacks, including assaults on police and suicide bombings in Bannu, prompting security forces to launch extensive joint intelligence-based operations to dismantle terrorist networks and their support infrastructure.

“Accordingly, in the last 24 hours, following fierce fire exchanges in Bannu district and adjoining areas, 24 khawarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al-Khawarij have been sent to hell,” the military had said.

In May, at least 15 police personnel embraced martyrdom in a suicide attack on the Fateh Khel police post in KP’s Bannu district after terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the installation.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has witnessed a sharp rise in terrorist violence over the past year.

According to the Annual Security Report 2025 released by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), the province experienced a significant escalation in violence, with fatalities increasing from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025.

Amid the resurgence of militancy, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where security personnel and law enforcement agencies have frequently come under attack, the state has further intensified nationwide counter-terrorism operations to dismantle militant networks and restore security.

 

Three martyred in Tank terrorist attack laid to rest with full state honours

Meanwhile, funeral prayers for two police constables and a forest guard, who embraced martyrdom in a terrorist attack on the Manjhi Khel check-post in Tank district, were offered with full state honours at Police Lines Tank, with senior government and police officials paying tribute to their sacrifice and reaffirming the province’s resolve against terrorism.

According to an official statement, Police Constable Bilal Khan, Police Constable Tila Muhammad and Forest Guard Noor Azam were martyred when terrorists launched “what authorities described as a cowardly attack on the Manjhi Khel check post on Thursday night.

The funeral prayers were attended by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed, Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shahab Ali Shah, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Tariq Saeed Marwat, Additional IGP Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Jawad Qamar, Regional Police Officer (RPO) Dera Ismail Khan Ghulam Mubashir Maken, Commissioner Dera Ismail Khan Dawood Khan, District Police Officer (DPO) Tank Abdul Samad Khan, Deputy Commissioner Tank Jamshed Khan, along with senior civil and police officials, personnel, relatives of the martyrs and a large number of local elders.

During the ceremony, floral wreaths were laid on the coffins of the martyrs, while a smartly turned-out police contingent presented a guard of honour in recognition of their supreme sacrifice.

Special prayers were offered for the elevation of the martyrs' ranks, the early recovery of the injured personnel and for the peace, security and stability of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, IGP Zulfiqar Hameed and Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, accompanied by senior police and administrative officials from Dera Ismail Khan and Tank, visited the police personnel injured in the terrorist attack.

The officials met Constable Ismatullah, Constable Jaseem Khan, Constable Dawood Khan and Constable Pir Ghulam, praised their courage and resilience, and announced financial assistance to encourage and support them.

During the visit, the senior officials also listened to the concerns and suggestions of the injured personnel and assured them that every possible measure would be taken for the prompt resolution of their issues and to ensure the best possible medical care and support.