KOHAT (Kashmir English): At least 10 policemen were martyred, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), and 18 Khawarij were killed during an operation against illegal gold mining in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kohat district on Wednesday, a police spokesperson said.
According to the press release, KP Police and the local civil administration conducted an operation against those involved in illegal gold mining in the Darbokach area near Kohat.
The Fitna-ul-Khawarij attacked the police party at the behest of criminal elements when they were returning after completing the operation, it added.
The spokesperson said that the personnel fought the attackers with great courage and bravery, which resulted in the killing of 18 terrorists. “During the exchange of fire, ten KP policemen were martyred while fighting bravely,” the press release stated.
The martyred policemen include DSP Haider Zaman, ASI Mukhtiar, Constable Adnan, Constable Ibrahim, Azmat Ullah, Constable Sheraz, Mudassir Khan, Shamsha Din, Muhammad Yasir, and Haleem Akbar.
They belonged to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly Kohat district, the spokesperson said, adding that their sacrifices will always be remembered.
Police said the mutual nexus between criminal elements and Fitna-ul-Khawarij, acting at the behest of external forces, and a joint attack on the police party was clear evidence of organised links between the criminal mafia and the militants.
“This incident once again proves that Fitna-ul-Khawarij has no connection with the religion of Islam and Pakistan. These elements are working together with criminal mafias for their nefarious purposes,” it maintained.
The spokesperson asserted that all possible action will be taken against the criminal elements and Khawarij working with external support.
“The facilitators of the Khawarij and the criminal mafias will not be spared under any circumstances. No illegal activity will be allowed,” police reiterated.
