KOHAT – At least four police personnel, including a senior Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officer and a Station House Officer (SHO), were martyred in a fierce gunbattle with suspected militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Karak district on Thursday, while police reported killing two militants during the operation.
The deadly encounter erupted in Jala Charpara area of Banda Daud Shah tehsil, where a joint police and CTD team had launched an intelligence-based operation targeting suspected militants hiding inside a residential compound.
According to preliminary police reports, the operation turned into a deadly confrontation when armed suspects allegedly unleashed heavy gunfire on the approaching security personnel, triggering an intense exchange of fire.
The office of the District Police Officer (DPO) Karak identified the four martyred personnel as DSP CTD Karak Imranuddin, a senior counter-terrorism officer, SHO Afzal Awan, posted at Latamber Police Station, Kazim, the bodyguard of DSP Imranuddin, and Amjad, an official of the Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU).
DSP CTD Imranuddin was martyred today in an attack reportedly carried out by the TTP’s Kazim Group. He was a brave officer who consistently fought the TTP on the front lines. May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah and give patience to his family.
— خان (@khantainer) October 22, 2026
The loss of two senior officers, alongside personnel from the CTD and bomb disposal unit, represents a serious blow to the district’s law enforcement operations. The personnel were reportedly taking part in a coordinated action against suspected militants when they came under fire.
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Police sources said the operation was launched after authorities received information about the suspected presence of militants inside a house in Jala Charpara. The targeted location lies near Bahadur Khel along the old Bannu Road, within the jurisdiction of Khurram Muhammad Zai Police Station.
A joint contingent of local police and CTD officials moved into the area to conduct the operation. However, according to police, the suspected militants opened intense fire on the approaching team, forcing security personnel to retaliate.
The exchange resulted in multiple casualties among the police personnel, while two suspected militants were also reportedly killed. Police reinforcements were subsequently dispatched to the area as the operation expanded.
Police officials confirmed that two suspected militants were killed during the confrontation. However, reports indicated that other armed suspects could still be present in the surrounding area. Additional police contingents were deployed to strengthen the operation and assist personnel already engaged at the scene.
According to the latest information provided in the preliminary reports, the exchange of fire was continuing, with security forces conducting further operations against the remaining suspects. The total number of militants involved in the confrontation had not been officially established.
Amid the developing security situation, a local source claimed that six bodies had been transported to District Headquarters Hospital Karak. However, the claim could not be independently verified. DPO Karak’s office initially confirmed the identities of four martyred police personnel, and no official confirmation was available regarding any additional police fatalities. Authorities had also not released a comprehensive casualty assessment at the time of the initial reporting.
Among those killed was DSP CTD Imranuddin, a police officer recognized by colleagues for his involvement in counter-terrorism operations in Hangu and Karak. According to police sources, Imranuddin had served as a Sub-Inspector before receiving promotion to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police on a shoulder-rank basis.
He had been assigned to the Counter-Terrorism Department in Karak only a few months before the deadly encounter. During his service, he had reportedly participated in operations against suspected militants and carried out assignments in areas facing significant security challenges. His death during Thursday’s operation has deprived the local counter-terrorism force of an experienced officer.
Amid reports of the deadly encounter, Regional Police Officer (RPO) Kohat Region Shakir Hussain Dawar travelled to Karak to assess the security situation. The senior police official was expected to review developments surrounding the operation and the casualties suffered by law enforcement personnel.
He was also expected to participate in the funeral prayers of the martyred officers and personnel. Further official statements regarding the operation, casualties and security arrangements were awaited.
Thursday’s confrontation has once again underscored the dangers faced by police and counter-terrorism personnel during operations against suspected militant networks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The incident is particularly significant because it claimed the lives of officers holding important operational responsibilities, including a CTD DSP and a police station SHO.
The deployment of additional personnel indicates that authorities were continuing efforts to secure the area and deal with any remaining armed suspects. Investigators are expected to establish the identities and possible affiliations of the suspected militants, along with the circumstances surrounding the deadly exchange.
With four police personnel confirmed martyred in preliminary reports and two suspected militants reported killed, the Karak operation has emerged as another deadly confrontation for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s law enforcement agencies. The final casualty toll and outcome of the operation remained subject to further official confirmation.