Attack in Pabbi Area Claims Lives of Policemen

Excise Departments bullet-ridden vehicle targeted in the Pabbi attack. — Reporter
Excise Department’s bullet-ridden vehicle targeted in the Pabbi attack. — Reporter

Gunmen initiate firing on policemen after being directed to halt.
SI Farooq Bacha sustains critical injuries from five bullet wounds.
Funeral prayer held for the fallen; case filed, and investigation proceeds.

Three individuals, including two policemen from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, were killed in a gun assault in the Pabbi region of Nowshera district, according to the Excise Department on Sunday.

According to preliminary reports, the incident happened after 2 a.m. when unknown individuals in a white double cabin vehicle opened fire on the policemen after being signaled to stop.

Constables Mujahid Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed were killed, while Sub-Inspector Farooq Bacha was gravely injured with five bullet wounds, but was able to get to Lady Reading Hospital (LRH). SI Bacha’s driver also died in the attack.

A case has been opened, and an investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, the funeral prayer for the fallen policemen was held early in the morning at Police Lines, with Excise Department and police personnel present.

Martyred Constables Iftikhar Ahmed (left) and Mujahid Khan. — Reporter
Martyred Constables Iftikhar Ahmed (left) and Mujahid Khan

(CCPO) Qasim Khan and other officials were also present at the funeral.

KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has expressed regret over the event and has ordered the arrest of those involved in the attack.

“The provincial government will not abandon the families of the fallen. All necessary aid will be given to the families of the martyrs,” he said, adding that justice would be served to the martyrs’ families.

Meanwhile, the KP chief secretary has requested a report on the gun attack, emphasizing that excise personnel are fighting a war against drugs and smuggling in the province, and that their sacrifices will not be in vain.

The chief secretary reaffirmed that the anti-smuggling campaign will continue, adding that the scope of action against drug traffickers and smugglers is being expanded.

The incident occurs as the province deals with a disturbing increase in terrorist incidents and attacks, particularly against security forces, in recent months.

A day earlier, District Police Officer (DPO) Shangla Shah Hassan was targeted in a remote-controlled improvised explosive device (IED) attack. The police officer, however, was unharmed in the blast.

According to data issued by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), a think tank, the country saw a 42% increase in terrorist attacks in January 2025 compared to the previous month.

According to the data, at least 74 militant attacks were recorded across the country, killing 91 people, including 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants. Another 117 people were injured, including 53 security forces personnel, 54 civilians, and 10 militants.

KP was the worst-affected province, followed by Balochistan. In KP’s settled districts, militants conducted 27 attacks, killing 19 people, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and two militants.

The tribal areas of KP (erstwhile Fata) saw 19 attacks, resulting in 46 fatalities, including 13 security personnel, eight civilians, and 25 militants.