Ten police personnel were martyred and 18 terrorists killed in an attack on a police party returning from an operation against illegal gold mining in Darabo Kach near Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, the police and local civil administration had conducted an operation against elements involved in illegal gold mining in the area.
The police party came under attack while returning after completing the operation. The statement said the attackers, belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij, launched the assault at the behest of criminal elements.
Police personnel responded to the attack and killed 18 assailants, while 10 police officers embraced martyrdom during the exchange of fire.
The police said the joint attack by criminal elements and Fitna al-Khawarij demonstrated organised links between criminal mafias and the militant group, alleging that the network was operating with foreign backing.
It vowed to take all possible action against the attackers, their facilitators and criminal networks, adding that no illegal activity would be allowed.
The police also said the personnel martyred in the attack belonged to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly Kohat district, and their sacrifices would always be remembered.
Mohsin Naqvi condemns attack
Meanwhile, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the attack and paid tribute to the 10 police personnel who lost their lives.
Expressing condolences to the bereaved families, Naqvi praised the police personnel for fighting back and killing 18 militants.
He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police remained on the front line in the fight against terrorism and had made immense sacrifices in the battle.
The minister said the nation would always remember the sacrifices of the brave personnel of the provincial police force and paid tribute to those who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
Source: brecorder
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