12 Police Officers Killed in Militant Attack in Pakistan

On Saturday night, a coordinated militant attack occurred in the Fateh Khel area of Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 police officers and injuries to five others. The assault involved a suicide bomber who detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at a police checkpoint, followed by multiple militants engaging in gunfire with police personnel.

Muhammad Sajjad Khan, a police official, confirmed the casualties to AFP. The attack marks an escalation in militant activities in the border region, which has seen a surge in violence in recent years.

Following the assault, several police personnel were reported missing, and the militants reportedly seized weapons before retreating from the area. The attack was characterized by a prolonged gunfight and the use of heavy weaponry, with senior administrative officials indicating that the militants employed coordinated tactics, including the use of drones.

The region remains a hotspot for insurgent activity amid rising tensions with neighboring Afghanistan.