Three additional militants were eliminated following a prolonged gunfight instigated by a suicide bombing at a police training center in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, located in northwestern Pakistan, as per law enforcement officials. Furthermore, six police officers lost their lives during the exchange of gunfire, authorities disclosed on Saturday.
Before that, three assailants were taken down by police in response to the assault on the Ratta Kulachi Police Training School in the Dera Ismail Khan district, with a small number of other militants reportedly barricaded inside the premises.
In a late-night clearance operation on Friday, three more insurgents were neutralized, and an additional six police officers perished in the incident. The death toll of security personnel from the attack climbed to seven, with 13 officers sustaining injuries.
All trainee recruits and staff members were successfully evacuated to safe areas, according to reports. The operation was conducted with the involvement of SSG commandos, Al-Burq Force, Elite Force, and police personnel.
The event unfolded on Friday night when terrorists rammed an explosives-laden truck into the main entrance of the police training school, leading to a powerful explosion. Subsequently, militants sporting various uniforms infiltrated the compound and initiated indiscriminate firing. In response, the police retaliated, encircling the attackers. Throughout the confrontation, the militants resorted to throwing hand grenades.
The on-ground operation was overseen by DPO Dera Ismail Khan Sahibzada Sajjad Ahmed and RPO Syed Ashfaq Anwar. Following an intense five-hour standoff, six terrorists were neutralized, and security forces seized suicide vests, explosives, advanced weapons, and ammunition from the attackers. The injured police personnel were swiftly transferred to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Approximately 200 trainees, instructors, and staff members were present at the training institute during the assault, all of whom were safely relocated to secure zones, as confirmed by the DPO. IG Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Zulfiqar Hameed, affirmed the complete clearance of the area, with a sweep operation underway to eradicate any lingering threats.
Commending the leadership of the RPO and DPO for the successful mission, the IGP honored the fallen officers and announced rewards for the individuals who participated in the operation.