At least 12 police officers were injured on Wednesday during an operation against illegal gold mining in the Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The incident occurred in the Darbukach area, within the limits of the Gumbat police station, where security forces were targeting illegal mining on the River Indus.
Police reported that the police party was ambushed by criminal elements and terrorists belonging to Fitna al Khawarij. Authorities stated that illegal gold mining in the area has persisted due to a nexus between terrorists and criminals. During the encounter, armed men also set a police mobile on fire.
Among the injured are DSP Haider Zaman and Gumbat SHO Ayaz Afridi. Rescue 1122 spokesperson Jawad Afridi confirmed in a video message that 12 personnel had been shifted to the hospital. According to the injured officials, there were several bodies at the scene, though the exact number of deaths has not been officially confirmed.
The District Police Officer (DPO) of Kohat stated that the pursuit of Fitna al Khawarij is ongoing and the operation will continue until the last militant is eliminated. Fresh contingents of security forces and police have reached the location, where an exchange of fire was reported as underway.
Medical Superintendent Dr. Tahir Ali Shah announced that an emergency has been imposed at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Kohat.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the "cowardly act" and expressed sorrow at the "martyrdom of police personnel," vowing to bring the attackers to justice. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry also expressed grief over the "loss of human lives" and called for the government to bring the involved elements before the law.
