Three including two KP policemen martyred in gun attack in Nowshera's Pabbi

• Gunmen open fire at policemen after being signalled to stop.
• SI Farooq Bacha critically injured with five bullet wounds.
• Martyrs' funeral prayer offered; case registered, probe underway.
  

PESHAWAR: Three people including two Khyber Pakhtunkhwa policemen were martyred in a gun attack that took place in Nowshera district's Pabbi area, Geo News reported citing Excise Department said on Sunday.

The attack, as per initial reports, took place after 2am when unidentified passengers travelling in a white double cabin vehicle opened indiscriminate fire on the policemen after being signalled to stop.

Constables Mujahid Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed embraced martyrdom whereas Sub-Inspector Farooq Bacha was left seriously injured — with five bullet wounds — but managed to reach the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH). SI Bacha's personal driver was also killed in the attack.

A case has been registered and further investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, the martyred policemen's funeral prayer was offered at Police Lines early in the morning with the Excise Department and police officers in attendance.

(CCPO) Qasim Khan and other officials also attended the funeral.

Expressing regret on the incident, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has issued directives for the arrest of those involved in the attack.

"The provincial government will not leave the families of the martyrs alone. All possible assistance will be provided to the families of the martyrs," he reassured, adding that justice would be ensured for the martyrs' families. 

Meanwhile, the KP chief secretary has sought a report on the gun attack. Underscoring that the excise officials were fighting a war against drugs and smuggling in the province, the official said that their sacrifices would not go in vain.

Reaffirming that the campaign against smuggling will continue, the chief secretary said that the scope of action against drug dealers and smugglers is being further expanded.

The incident comes as the province reels under an alarming surge in terror incidents and attacks, especially on security personnel in recent months.

A day earlier, District Police Officer (DPO) Shangla Shah Hassan was targeted in a remote-controlled improvised explosive device (IED) attack. The police officer, however, remained safe in the explosion.

The country witnessed a sharp increase in terror attacks in January 2025, surging by 42% compared to the previous month, according to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), a think tank.

The data revealed that at least 74 militant attacks were recorded nationwide, resulting in 91 fatalities, including 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants. Another 117 individuals sustained injuries, including 53 security forces personnel, 54 civilians, and 10 militants.

KP remained the worst-affected province, followed by Balochistan. In KP's settled districts, militants carried out 27 attacks, resulting in 19 fatalities, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and two militants.

The tribal districts of KP (erstwhile Fata) witnessed 19 attacks, leading to 46 deaths, including 13 security personnel, eight civilians, and 25 militants.