BANNU: A police constable was martyred in a targeted shooting by unknown assailants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district on Sunday, police officials confirmed, marking yet another attack on law enforcement personnel amid a deteriorating security situation in the region.
According to a police statement, the incident took place in the Mamma Khel area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Haved Police Station. The attackers, riding a motorcycle, opened fire on the policeman and fled the scene. The victim died on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds.
District Police Officer (DPO) Yasir Afridi identified the martyred constable as Iqbal. He said the policeman was deployed at the Mazanga police checkpoint but was in his native village of Akhund Mamma Khel at the time of the attack. “After offering evening prayers, he was on his way back home when motorcycle riders opened fire on him in front of his house,” the DPO said.
Following the incident, a heavy contingent of police rushed to the area, cordoned it off, and launched a search operation to trace the attackers. Evidence was collected from the scene, and further investigation is underway. Police said no arrests had been made so far, and efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend those involved.
The killing comes amid a surge in militant and targeted attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past three years, particularly after the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with the government in 2022 and announced renewed attacks on security forces and law enforcement agencies.
Last month, Bannu Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sajjad Khan disclosed that 27 police personnel were martyred in 134 terrorist attacks in the district during 2025 alone. He said 79 police officials were injured in those incidents. In retaliatory and preventive actions, police killed 53 terrorists and injured 163 others, the DIG added.
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According to police data, Bannu police conducted 168 intelligence-based operations across the district, leading to the arrest of 105 suspected militants. Overall, action was taken against 170 terrorists during the year, officials said.
Meanwhile, an important jirga was held in Bannu to review the security and administrative situation. The meeting was chaired by Brigadier Umair Niazi of the 116 Brigade and Deputy Commissioner Faheem Khan and attended by elders from the Jani Khel area.
During the jirga, participants raised concerns related to law and order, road infrastructure, absentee teachers, and the restoration of 4G internet services. Brigadier Niazi assured the elders that peace and stability would be ensured, stressed a zero-tolerance policy against militant elements, and announced that roads in Bannu would be reopened after necessary security arrangements. The elders welcomed the assurances and pledged full cooperation with authorities.
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