PESHAWAR: Unidentified gunmen shot dead two constables in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province on Wednesday, police said amid a surge in militant attacks in the restive area.
The attack took place in Dera Ismail Khan district’s Kulachi area near the Afghan border, district police spokesperson Yaqoob Bukhari confirmed.
Bukhari identified the slain cops as constables Ghulam Muhammad and Shehzad, saying they were ambushed by the unknown attackers while they left their police station to buy groceries.
“A heavy police contingent responded immediately,” Bukhari told Arab News. “During the ensuing search operation, one terrorist was killed and two others injured in an exchange of fire.”
Kalashnikov rifles and other ammunition were recovered from the slain militant, Bukhari said, adding that a search operation was underway to track down the remaining assailants.
KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur condemned the attack, paying tribute to the slain constables and directing authorities to arrest the suspects involved in the killing.
The latest attack takes place amid surging violence in KP, where earlier this month an explosion claimed by Daesh killed at least four local government officials and policemen.
A woman was killed last week while three others were injured in two quadcopter attacks in the province that police said were conducted by militants.
Last week also saw the killing of two people, including a senior leader of the Awami National Party, who were shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Bajaur district.
No militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack on the constables. However, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant group has previously claimed responsibility for similar attacks in KP, which borders Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s government has also blamed the TTP for some of the deadliest attacks against law enforcers and civilians in recent years. Islamabad has accused Afghanistan of sheltering TTP militants, urging Kabul to take decisive action against militants it says operate from Afghan soil.
Kabul has rejected the allegations and urged Islamabad to resolve its security matters internally.
