Five Officials Martyred In DI Khan Firing Incidents

Five officials were martyred in two separate firing incidents in Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday, according to police. The attacks targeted Customs personnel in one incident and a Highway Traffic Police mobile in another, prompting search operations by law-enforcement agencies.

In the first incident, unidentified attackers opened fire near Qureshi Morr, killing four Customs officials. Police said the assailants fled the scene after the shooting, while a heavy contingent of law-enforcement personnel reached the area, cordoned it off and launched a search operation.

A second attack took place near Mufti Mahmood Chowk bypass, where unidentified assailants opened fire on a Highway Traffic Police mobile. The vehicle’s driver, identified as Habib, son of Sabz Ali, was martyred in the attack, while another police official, identified as Subhan, sustained injuries.

The injured official was shifted to the District Headquarters Teaching Hospital for treatment. Traffic DSP Chan Shah, Headquarters DSP Inam Gandapur and SP Security Murad Ali Khan visited the hospital following the incident, as police continued to investigate the attacks.

Authorities said investigations into both incidents were under way and that search operations were being conducted to arrest the attackers. No group was immediately reported to have claimed responsibility, and police had not announced the identities of the assailants by the time of the report.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the firing incidents and expressed grief over the martyrdom of the five officials. In a statement, he extended condolences to the families of the victims and paid tribute to the personnel who lost their lives while performing their duties.

Naqvi said the government stood with the bereaved families and shared their grief. He added that the sacrifices of security and law-enforcement personnel would not weaken the country’s resolve against terrorism.

The interior minister noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the province most affected by terrorism and continued to face significant security challenges. He said counterterrorism efforts would continue despite such attacks and reiterated the government’s commitment to confronting the threat.

Meanwhile, mobile phone services in Dera Ismail Khan were restored after remaining suspended for three days. The suspension had caused difficulties for residents and business communities and also led to the postponement of second annual matriculation examinations scheduled to begin on October 7, with a revised schedule now set to begin from October 12.