10 Pakistani Soldiers Killed in Bloody Attack on Police in Khyber

Islamabad, November 11 (KUNA) -- Ten Pakistani police officers were killed in a fierce gunfight with armed criminals in the mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwestern Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan. The provincial police said in a statement that the security team came under attack by armed criminals in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as they were returning from carrying out an operation against individuals involved in illegal gold mining activities. The statement added that the clashes resulted in the deaths of 10 police officers and 18 militants, and affirmed that all possible measures would be taken against the foreign-backed criminal elements. For his part, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Kunduzi expressed his sorrow over the killing of the police officers and pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice. The attack comes a month after the imposition of direct rule and a state of emergency in the province due to “the provincial government’s failure to actively participate in counter-terrorism efforts.” Pakistan has been witnessing an escalation in terrorist attacks, particularly in the Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces bordering Afghanistan. (End) S.B.K./H.S.S.