ISLAMABAD — PESHAWAR: Eighteen terrorists were killed while 10 cops were martyred on Wednesday when the police team came under attack on its way back after completing an operation against elements involved in illegal gold mining, police said. In a statement, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police said it was conducting a joint operation with the local civil administration in the Darabukach locality near Kohat city.
“When the police party was returning after completing the operation, Fitna-al-Khawarij attacked the police party at the behest of criminal elements,” the statement read, “Police personnel fought the attackers with great bravery and courage, as a result of which 18 khawarij were sent to hell,” it noted, adding that 10 personnel of KP Police “embraced martyrdom while fighting bravely”. Earlier, Rescue 1122 spokesperson Jawad Afridi said in a video message, “There was an incident where a police party came under fire, and so far, we have shifted 12 police personnel to the hospital.” He said that according to the injured police officials, there were several bodies at the scene. He added that details regarding the exact number of deaths would be shared when more information became available.
A statement issued by KP police said that a major operation had been launched against illegal gold mining, which was being fuelled by a nexus between terrorists and criminal elements.