MUHAMMAD MUSTAFA MUGHAL
Dera Ismail Khan July 16, 2025: A tragic incident occurred near Shakhi Gate in Kulachi Tehsil, where two police officials were martyred after being ambushed by unidentified armed assailants on Wednesday.
The martyred officials were identified as Head Constable Ghulam Muhammad a resident of Panyala village in Dera Ismail Khan, and Constable Shehzad, belonging to Aba Khel village of Lakki Marwat district.
According to a spokesman of the police department, the officials were riding on a motorcycle when the incident took place. One of them was reportedly unwell and was being transported to the hospital by his colleague. As they passed near Shakhi Gate, they came under sudden gunfire, and both died on the spot.
In response to the attack, police and law enforcement agencies swiftly cordoned off the area and launched a search operation. As the terrorists attempted to flee, the police retaliated with fire. As a result, one terrorist was killed, and two others were reportedly injured. A Kalashnikov rifle and ammunition were recovered from the possession of the deceased militant.
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and District Police continued an extensive search operation in the area, which was still ongoing at the time of reporting.
The funeral prayers of the martyred officers were held with full official honors at Ijaz Shaheed Police Lines in Dera Ismail Khan. The ceremony was attended by Commissioner Dera Division Zafar-ul-Salam Khattak, Regional Police Officer Syed Ashfaq Anwar, District Police Officer Sajjad Ahmad Sahibzada, along with several civil and military officials, police personnel, and family members of the martyrs.
A police contingent presented a guard of honor, and participants laid floral wreaths on the coffins. Special prayers were offered for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks.
Following the funeral, the bodies of the two officers were dispatched to their native villages Panyala in Dera Ismail Khan and Aba Khel in Lakki Marwat where they were laid to rest with full official honors.
Initial investigations suggest the attack was an act of terrorism. Authorities have condemned the incident in strong terms and vowed to bring all those involved to justice. Police officials reiterated their resolve that the sacrifices of their brave officers would not go in vain and the fight against terrorism would continue with full force.
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi, condemned the attack and expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with the bereaved families. In his statement, the Governor said:
“The sacrifices of police martyrs in the fight against terrorism will never be forgotten. They laid down their lives for peace and security. We stand shoulder to shoulder with their families in this time of grief.”
Governor Kundi also offered prayers for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks and extended heartfelt condolences to their families, emphasizing that the entire nation shares their pain.
