6 cops injured as North Waziristan DPO’s vehicle targeted in Bannu: official Azad News HD
Gunmen Ambush DPO Convoy in North Waziristan: Six Police Officers Injured Amid Rising Tensions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
In another troubling sign of escalating militancy across Pakistan’s northwestern belt, six police officers were injured on Monday when unidentified gunmen ambushed the North Waziristan District Police Officer’s (DPO) vehicle near Mamash Khel, a small but strategically significant town close to Bannu district. According to security officials, the attack occurred during a routine patrol, sparking an intense exchange of fire that lasted several minutes and left the convoy’s lead vehicle riddled with bullets.
The incident underscores the growing threat of militant resurgence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s tribal districts, where Pakistan’s security forces continue to battle splinter groups affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other banned outfits operating from sanctuaries across the Afghan border. Though no group immediately claimed responsibility, officials say the attack bears similarities to recent hit-and-run strikes orchestrated by militants who exploit the area’s rugged terrain and porous frontier.
The Attack: A Coordinated Ambush
Eyewitnesses and police sources told reporters that the DPO’s convoy was en route from Miranshah to Bannu when armed assailants, positioned on both sides of the narrow dirt road, opened fire with automatic weapons. The sudden barrage shattered the windshield of the DPO’s armored vehicle, injuring six police escorts in the process. Quick retaliation by security personnel reportedly forced the attackers to flee into nearby mountains.
“Fortunately, the DPO escaped unhurt,” a senior police official confirmed, requesting anonymity due to security restrictions. “However, the attackers were well-prepared and had prior knowledge of the route. It appears to be a planned strike aimed at sending a message.”
Following the ambush, police reinforcements and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) units reached the site and launched a combing operation in the surrounding areas. Helicopters from the Pakistan Army were also seen hovering over the region as part of the search effort.
The injured officers — identified as Constables Muhammad Naeem, Shahbaz Khan, Ismail, Asif, Waqas, and Nasir — were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) Bannu, where doctors reported them to be out of immediate danger.
Security Response and Investigation
Law enforcement officials sealed off the area shortly after the incident and imposed strict movement restrictions. The Frontier Corps (FC) and Levies also joined hands with local police to track down the perpetrators. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Akhtar Hayat Khan Gandapur, ordered a full investigation and demanded a detailed report within 24 hours.
According to a statement issued by the provincial police spokesperson, “The cowardly attack on police officers will not go unanswered. The brave men of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police have laid down their lives for peace, and this sacrifice will not be in vain. The terrorists behind this assault will be brought to justice.”
Initial reports suggest that the attackers used Chinese-made assault rifles and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) as part of their ambush strategy. Forensic teams collected bullet casings, tire marks, and other evidence from the scene, while intelligence units are reviewing recent militant activity along the Bannu-Mir Ali road, a known hotspot for insurgent movement.
The Location: Mamash Khel’s Strategic Importance
Mamash Khel lies near the confluence of North Waziristan and Bannu districts, forming a key route for logistical movement between the tribal highlands and settled areas. Once a stronghold of militant networks before the military operations Zarb-e-Azb (2014) and Radd-ul-Fasaad (2017), the area has witnessed a slow but steady resurgence of targeted attacks in recent months.
The terrain — a mix of arid hills, narrow passes, and isolated villages — provides natural cover for guerrilla-style assaults. Local residents say militants often exploit gaps in surveillance during nighttime or bad weather to infiltrate and retreat across the border undetected.
A tribal elder from the area, speaking on condition of anonymity, remarked, “We have seen peace returning after years of war, but recently, fear has started creeping back. The militants are regrouping in the shadows, testing the resolve of the state.”
Police in the Line of Fire
The attack in Mamash Khel is the latest in a series of assaults targeting police and security personnel across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In the past year alone, more than 180 police officers have been martyred and over 400 injured in terrorist incidents — making 2025 one of the deadliest years for the province’s law enforcement.
Unlike the military, which enjoys stronger fortifications and resources, the provincial police often operate on the frontline with limited armor and outdated equipment. Despite these challenges, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police has earned respect for its courage and resilience, maintaining order in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
Police officials point out that attacks are increasingly aimed at breaking morale rather than achieving territorial control. “The enemy wants to shake public confidence,” explained a senior CTD officer. “By targeting police convoys, they send a symbolic message — that they can strike at will. But our officers remain undeterred.”
The Broader Context: Resurgence of Militancy
Analysts link the renewed wave of violence to the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan in 2021. Following the U.S. withdrawal, many Pakistani militants previously based in Afghanistan returned to tribal areas, emboldened by perceived ideological support and weak border enforcement.
While the Afghan Taliban government in Kabul has denied harboring anti-Pakistan elements, Islamabad insists that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) continues to enjoy safe havens across the border. The group has claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks in 2024 and 2025, including suicide bombings in Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Dera Ismail Khan.
According to a Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) report, terrorist incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa increased by 34% this year compared to the same period last year. The pattern includes ambushes on patrols, targeted killings, and roadside IED explosions.
Security experts say that militants have shifted strategy from large-scale operations to low-intensity warfare, making detection and prevention harder. They rely on local facilitators, tribal networks, and smuggling routes to transport weapons and explosives.
Government Reaction and Political Fallout
Following Monday’s attack, Caretaker Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Justice (r) Arshad Hussain Shah, condemned the assault in the strongest terms and directed the provincial Home Department to expedite counter-terror operations. “The blood of our policemen will not go in vain,” he said in a statement. “We will hunt down every single terrorist involved in such cowardly acts.”
The federal government also expressed solidarity. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi telephoned the IGP and assured full cooperation, including additional funding for modern surveillance drones and armored patrol vehicles. “Terrorism is a shared challenge,” he said. “We will strengthen coordination between federal and provincial agencies.”
Opposition parties, however, criticized what they described as “reactive policies.” Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders accused the government of failing to implement a coherent counter-terrorism plan. Former provincial minister Shaukat Yousafzai remarked, “The sacrifices of our police are immense, yet there is no comprehensive policy to eliminate militancy once and for all.”
Voices from the Ground: Fear and Defiance
For residents of North Waziristan, Monday’s attack revived memories of a darker past. Families who had begun returning after years of displacement now worry that renewed instability could undo the fragile peace.
Zahidullah, a local shopkeeper, said, “We just want to live in peace. For years we were refugees in our own country. The government must ensure such violence doesn’t return.”
At the same time, local communities have begun organizing peace committees to assist authorities in intelligence sharing. Tribal elders emphasize that cooperation between civilians and security forces is essential. “Our future depends on unity,” said Malik Ghulam Khan of the Dawar tribe. “Militants cannot survive without local support, and we will deny them that.”
Counter-Terrorism Strategy and Challenges
Despite significant achievements since the launch of Operation Zarb-e-Azb a decade ago, the fight against extremism remains unfinished. Experts point to three major challenges:
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Cross-Border Movement: The 2,600-kilometer-long Pakistan-Afghanistan border remains porous, making it difficult to monitor militant infiltration.
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Ideological Recruitment: Extremist narratives continue to influence vulnerable youth in tribal areas, necessitating stronger educational and social interventions.
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Resource Constraints: Police units in merged districts often lack advanced communication tools, night-vision gear, and rapid-response vehicles.
In 2023, Pakistan revived the National Action Plan (NAP) — a 20-point framework for countering terrorism — but implementation has been uneven. Analysts argue that without better intelligence coordination between civilian and military agencies, militant networks will continue to exploit institutional loopholes.
International and Regional Implications
The resurgence of violence in Pakistan’s northwest also has regional security implications. International observers, including the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), have expressed concern over the movement of armed groups across the border.
Western diplomats note that a destabilized North Waziristan could hinder broader regional connectivity projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The Bannu–Miranshah–Ghulam Khan route, once envisioned as a key trade corridor with Afghanistan and Central Asia, remains vulnerable to sporadic attacks.
Security experts stress that regional cooperation — especially intelligence sharing with Kabul — is crucial. However, relations between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban remain strained over border management disputes and repeated cross-border firing incidents.
The Human Cost of Endless Conflict
Beyond the numbers and politics lies the enduring human tragedy of North Waziristan. For local police officers, every patrol carries the risk of death. Their families live in constant anxiety, waiting for a knock at the door that could change everything.
Constable Muhammad Naeem, injured in Monday’s attack, told a reporter from his hospital bed, “We know the dangers, but we wear this uniform for our people. If we don’t protect them, who will?”
His words echo the resilience that defines Pakistan’s police forces — men and women who face insurgents with little more than conviction and courage. Despite frequent criticism of governance and planning, their sacrifices remain the backbone of the nation’s internal security.
Media Coverage and Information Control
Following the incident, media access to the site was limited due to ongoing operations. Still, citizen journalists and local reporters managed to share photos of damaged vehicles and spent bullet shells, sparking widespread outrage on social media.
Public debate has intensified over the lack of transparency in official statements. Some analysts argue that excessive secrecy breeds misinformation, while others contend that operational confidentiality is vital in ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
“Information must be shared responsibly,” said veteran journalist Hamid Mir. “But at the same time, the government cannot hide behind the excuse of security when citizens demand answers about why these attacks keep happening.”
Resilience Amid Adversity
Despite the continuing threat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has repeatedly shown remarkable resilience. The province’s people — from Swat to Waziristan — have endured waves of conflict, displacement, and recovery. Civil society groups, local educators, and religious leaders are increasingly playing a role in promoting peace education, counter-extremism messaging, and youth empowerment.
The police martyrs’ families have also become symbols of perseverance. Annual ceremonies at the Police Lines Peshawar honor their memory, reminding the nation of the cost of peace.
“Every drop of blood spilled for Pakistan strengthens our resolve,” said IGP Gandapur during one such event earlier this year. “Terrorists may attack our men, but they can never defeat our spirit.”
The Road Ahead: Strengthening Peace in the Tribal Belt
Experts believe that sustainable peace in North Waziristan requires more than just military might — it demands governance, development, and justice. Integration of the former tribal areas into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was a major milestone, but challenges remain.
Development projects, such as roads, schools, and healthcare centers, are crucial in restoring trust between the state and local communities. At the same time, effective police reforms, including recruitment of locals, are essential to make law enforcement more adaptive to the tribal context.
The federal government recently announced a five-year development package worth Rs100 billion for merged districts. If implemented transparently, such initiatives could transform war-torn areas into engines of peace and progress.
Conclusion: A Battle for Pakistan’s Future
Monday’s ambush near Mamash Khel is a stark reminder that the struggle for stability in Pakistan’s northwest is far from over. The attack not only wounded six brave officers but also highlighted the persistent threats lurking beyond the headlines — the challenge of rebuilding faith, restoring normalcy, and ensuring that the sacrifices of countless security personnel do not go in vain.
While militants seek to sow chaos, the resilience of Pakistan’s police and people remains unbroken. Each act of terror is met with renewed determination, each fallen officer becomes a symbol of defiance, and each wound strengthens the nation’s collective resolve to defeat extremism.
