Police repel assaults across province amid escalating tensions on border with Afghanistan
An ambulance carrying injured FC personnel was targeted in a terrorist attack in Karak district of KP on February 23, 2026. Photo: Express
Terrorists carried out a series of targeted attacks on police stations and outposts in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Friday evening, injuring a police chief and a civilian, while authorities managed to repel all incursions, provincial police officials said.
The police said The Express PK Press Club that the attacks were launched in several locations, including Peshawar, Bannu and Hangu districts. In Peshawar’s Badhaber area, terrorists threw a hand grenade at a police station, injuring police chief Faisal. A civilian was injured in a related incident in Matani.
In Bannu, the attackers used sniper rifles to fire at the PP Kinger Bridge police station from various directions. They also targeted the Domel police outpost in Kasho Bridge, sparking a 15-minute firefight with responding officers. Police reinforcements effectively fought the attackers.
Furthermore, in Hangu, unidentified armed men attacked the Talab checkpoint, but security forces foiled this attempt without causing any casualties.
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All attacks were foiled thanks to a rapid police response, with no reported militant breakthroughs, police added.
Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid condemned the terrorists, describing them as cowards who hid in the bushes to launch hit-and-run strikes but fled in the face of heavy resistance.
“These troublemakers only know how to attack from cover and do not have the courage for direct confrontation. As soon as they face a firm and firm response from the police, they run away like cowards,” he said.
These incidents occurred amid heightened tensions on the Pakistan-Afghan border. In related news, Afghan forces reportedly struck Mir Ali market in North Waziristan in retaliation for Pakistani actions, destroying several shops. Pakistani authorities have accused Afghanistan of harboring terrorists responsible for cross-border attacks, an accusation Kabul denies.
Security forces remain on alert across the province as operations continue to counter the surge in militant activity linked to groups operating from Afghan territory. No group has yet claimed responsibility for Friday night’s coordinated assaults.
