- Terrorist attack on a checkpoint in Khyber district claims lives of two police officers and a civilian.
- The incident took place near the Landi Kotal Bazar on the Pak-Afghan highway.
- Authorities have increased security measures across the district following the attack.
In a tragic incident in Khyber, terrorists targeted a police checkpoint in the Charwazagai area, leading to the martyrdom of at least two police personnel and a civilian. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police reported that the attack occurred on Wednesday, near the Landi Kotal Bazar on the Pak-Afghan highway. District Police Officer (DPO) Saleem Abbas confirmed the identities of those martyred, including Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Alamzeb. The assault also left one policeman and a civilian injured.
The terrorists managed to flee the scene after the attack. The wounded were initially taken to the Landi Kotal Hospital for urgent medical care but were later transferred to the Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar due to their critical conditions. The checkpoint, established on the Pak-Afghan highway, is located about three kilometers from the Landi Kotal Bazar.
In response to the incident, security throughout the district has been heightened. This attack comes amidst a notable increase in terrorist activities in Pakistan, particularly in the KP and Balochistan provinces. According to a recent report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), the second quarter of 2024 saw 380 violence-linked fatalities and 220 injuries from 240 incidents of terror attacks and counter-terror operations.
KP and Balochistan, both bordering Afghanistan, have been the primary targets of these attacks, with KP suffering 67% of all fatalities and Balochistan 25% in the second quarter of 2024. In light of the escalating threat, the federal government recently approved the launch of “Azm-e-Istehkam,” a strategic national anti-terror campaign under the National Action Plan to combat rising terrorism and cross-border infiltration.