Pakistan: Four Policemen, Including CTD Officer, Killed in Terrorist Clash in Karak

Peshawar (Terror Monitor) — Four police personnel, including Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Imranuddin Khan, were killed during an operation against terrorists in Karak district of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Thursday. Five terrorists were also killed in retaliatory fire, police said.

According to a statement issued by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, terrorists had established a roadblock on Chirpara Road within the jurisdiction of Khurram Police Station in Karak on Wednesday night.

Following reports about the presence and movement of terrorists in the area, police launched a search-and-strike operation at around noon on Thursday, October 22.

Police said the operation was being led by the DSP Banda and the DSP CTD, with personnel from the Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU), drone team, Rescue 15 and Rapid Response Force (RRF) also participating.

During the operation, police raided the house of alleged terrorist commander Qaiser Iqbal in the Chirpara area, triggering an exchange of gunfire between the police and the terrorists.

According to police, Five terrorists were killed in the exchange, while four police personnel lost their lives after coming under fire.

Four Police Personnel Identified

The police identified the personnel killed in the operation as CTD DSP Imranuddin Khan, Sub-Inspector Afzal Awan, Constable Kazim and Bomb Disposal Unit official Amjad.

Afzal Awan was serving as the station house officer (SHO) of Lattambar Police Station. His body was transferred to the District Headquarters Hospital following the incident.

Search Operation Continues

Police said the operation was continuing in the area to locate additional terrorists and eliminate their presence.

The district's SP Operations, station house officers from various police stations and other relevant police officials were also participating in the operation.

Authorities said further measures were being taken to strengthen security and maintain law and order in the area.

KP Governor Condemns Attack

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the killing of the four police personnel, praising the sacrifices made by the provincial police in the fight against terrorism.

He said police officers and personnel had laid down their lives to maintain peace and protect the public, adding that their sacrifices would not be in vain.

Funeral Prayers Held for Slain Policemen

Funeral prayers for the four police personnel killed during the operation were held in Karak.

Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed, Additional Inspector General of the Counter-Terrorism Department Jawad Qamar, Kohat Regional Police Officer Shakir Hussain Dawar and other police officials attended the funeral prayers.

However, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and none of the members of his advisory council attended the funeral, according to the information provided.

Police and security forces continue operations against terrorist groups across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where attacks targeting police installations, patrols and personnel involved in counterterrorism operations remain a major security challenge.