Shehbaz Pays Tribute to Martyred Kohat Policemen
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has paid tribute to the martyred Kohat policemen, calling them heroes of the nation. Ten Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police personnel, including Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Haidar Zaman, were martyred in a terrorist attack in Kohat, while 18 militants were killed in the exchange of fire.
The prime minister issued a statement early on Thursday, November 12, in which he condemned the attack and sent his condolences to the families of the fallen officers. He said their sacrifices would always be remembered. Geo News reported the statement on Thursday.
The attack took place in the Darabukach area of Kohat. According to police, militants belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij, acting at the instigation of criminal elements, attacked a police party returning from a joint operation with the local administration against illegal gold mining.
Police fought back, and the gun battle left 18 militants dead. Twelve injured policemen were taken to hospital.
Prime minister praises the martyred Kohat policemen
Shehbaz said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police had set an outstanding example of dedication to duty, courage and bravery by making the ultimate sacrifice. He described the officers who laid down their lives for the country’s peace and security as heroes of the nation.
He also prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the dead and for strength and patience for their bereaved families.
He commended the police response, saying the killing of 18 militants showed the professional skill, courage and firm commitment of the KP police.
He called the link between criminal elements and Fitna al-Khawarij a malicious attempt to spread unrest, and vowed such elements would not achieve their aims.
Shehbaz said the KP police had rendered unparalleled sacrifices in the war against terrorism, and the whole nation held its officers in high regard. He also praised personnel of other law enforcement agencies, saying the nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the security forces.
He reaffirmed the government’s resolve, saying there would be no compromise on Pakistan’s peace and stability and that it was determined to eliminate terrorism.
Attack follows joint operation on gold mining
The attack on the police party in Kohat came as the officers returned from an operation against illegal gold mining. The detail matters, because it shows how militant groups and criminal networks now work together in the region.
Illegal mining has become a source of money and a flashpoint in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and police action against it puts officers in the path of armed groups that profit from the trade.
A civil-military huddle recently agreed to scale up intelligence-based operations in KP, a sign that the state is stepping up its response in the province. The government has also announced a phased return of displaced families in Tirah, which depends on security holding in the tribal districts.
Operations continue across the province. In North Waziristan, 700kg of explosives were seized, and an infiltration bid was foiled in Kurram as Afghan posts opened fire. Each case shows the same pattern: sharp engagements along a long and porous border.
Attacks at highest level in 12 years
Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in cross-border terrorist incidents, mainly in KP and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021. The country recorded its highest monthly number of militant attacks in 12 years during September 2026.
The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an Islamabad-based think tank that tracks anti-state violence, recorded 225 militant attacks across the country in September, against 199 in August.
That was a rise of 13 per cent and the third monthly increase in a row. The figures put the Kohat attack in a wider context: it was part of a sustained surge, not an isolated incident.
Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to stop its territory being used by militant groups to attack Pakistan. It maintains that the Afghan Taliban regime has failed to act against the groups behind attacks on Pakistani forces and civilians.
Despite several rounds of talks, the two sides have yet to settle their differences, and militant groups operating from Afghan soil remain a major point of contention.
What happens next
The funerals will bring the focus back to the officers’ families, and the prime minister’s statement suggests the government will use the attack to press its case with Kabul again.
On the ground, the KP police will continue operations against militants and the criminal networks that shelter them. The joint operation on illegal gold mining that led to the ambush is likely to continue.
The wider test is whether the surge can be reversed. Three months of rising figures, capped by the worst month in 12 years, show the present effort has not yet turned the tide.
Frequently asked questions
How many policemen were martyred in the Kohat attack?
Ten Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police personnel were martyred, including DSP Haidar Zaman. Twelve injured policemen were taken to hospital after the attack.
Where did the attack take place?
The attack took place in the Darabukach area of Kohat. The police party was returning from a joint operation with the local administration against illegal gold mining.
How many militants were killed?
Eighteen militants were killed in the exchange of fire, according to police. The prime minister said the figure showed the professional skill and courage of the KP police.
What did the prime minister say?
Shehbaz Sharif called the fallen officers heroes of the nation and said their sacrifices would always be remembered. He vowed there would be no compromise on Pakistan’s peace and stability.
How bad is the militant violence trend?
The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies recorded 225 militant attacks across Pakistan in September 2026, the highest monthly total in 12 years. That was up 13 per cent from 199 attacks in August, and the third monthly rise in a row.
