KOHAT: At least 12 policemen were injured in a violent firing incident during an operation against illegal gold mining in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Kohat district on Wednesday. According to police reports, the incident occurred in the remote Darbukach area, falling under the jurisdiction of the Gumbat police station, where a targeted operation against illegal gold extraction along the banks of the Indus River was underway.
Police officials stated that militants belonging to the Fitna al-Khawarij and various criminal elements ambushed the police party. Authorities added that illegal gold mining in the region had persisted for a significant period due to a dangerous nexus between local terrorists and organized criminal gangs operating in the riverine areas.
The injured personnel include Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Haider Zaman and Gumbat Station House Officer (SHO) Ayaz Afridi. All injured officers were immediately rushed to the hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Police further reported that the armed assailants set a police mobile van on fire during the chaos, and a heavy exchange of fire between security forces and the militants continued for several hours. Following the ambush, fresh contingents of police and specialized security forces were dispatched to the site to secure the area and neutralize the threat.
The District Police Officer (DPO) Kohat stated that the pursuit of the Fitna al-Khawarij is ongoing, emphasizing that the operation will continue until the last militant is eliminated from the region. Medical Superintendent Dr. Tahir Ali Shah confirmed that an emergency has been imposed at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, Kohat, to provide comprehensive care to the wounded officers.
The hospital administration has mobilized all available resources to manage the influx of casualties. Local authorities have condemned the attack, labeling it a desperate attempt by criminal elements to disrupt law and order.
Security has been heightened across the district, and search operations are being conducted in the surrounding areas to apprehend the perpetrators involved in the ambush. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as they combat both organized crime and militant groups.
The provincial government has sought a detailed report regarding the security lapse and the circumstances surrounding the ambush. As of Wednesday evening, the situation in Darbukach remains tense but under control.
Security forces are maintaining a strong presence to prevent any further escalation, and the investigation into the criminal-militant nexus is being prioritized by the district administration. The bravery of the police force in the face of such adversity has been acknowledged by senior officials, who have vowed to bring the attackers to justice.
The operation against illegal mining is expected to resume once the area is fully cleared of hostile elements. The public has been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities as the security forces continue their efforts to restore peace and order in the district.