Five police personnel were martyred after armed militants ambushed a police mobile near the Bami Banda Gragari area of Karak district, close to the Hangu border.
The attackers opened indiscriminate fire on the vehicle causing severe damage to the official van.
In a swift and coordinated response, police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) teams launched search and strike operations, killing eight terrorists in an intense exchange of fire.
Search Operations launched after deadly ambush
According to a police press release, the martyrs were identified as Head Constable Shahid Zaman and Constables Arif, Samiullah, Safdar and Muhammad Abrar.
Upon receiving information about the attack, senior officers from district police Karak and CTD Kohat region rushed to the scene with heavy contingents.
Police and CTD personnel jointly pursued the attackers and carried out search and strike operations at their suspected hideouts.
During the operation security forces engaged the militants, resulting in the killing of eight terrorists on the spot.
One of the slain militants was identified as Arif alias Don, a highly wanted terrorist involved in several serious acts of terrorism in the area.
Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the terrorists, while operations against their facilitators were also intensified.
Law enforcement agencies have tightened the noose around possible hideouts and continue search operations in the surrounding areas to prevent further attacks.
Police officials said the force remains fully committed to protecting the lives and property of citizens and will continue operations until all terrorist elements and their supporters are eliminated.
They added that the sacrifices of the martyred personnel would not go in vain and reaffirmed the resolve to maintain peace and security in the region.
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