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KARAK: Four police personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), were martyred and two terrorists killed in an exchange of fire during a search operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Karak district, police said.
Two terrorists were also killed when police returned fire, according to officials.
The martyred personnel were identified as CTD DSP Imran Ud Din Khan, Sub-Inspector Afzal Awan, Havaldar Kazim and Head Constable Amjad.
Police said the personnel were conducting a search operation when terrorists opened fire, triggering an exchange of fire.
Further details about the location of the operation and the circumstances surrounding the attack were not immediately available.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi strongly condemned the attack and expressed deep grief over the deaths of the four police personnel.
In a statement, he paid tribute to the fallen officers, saying the sacrifices made by the provincial police in the fight against terrorism would never be forgotten.
"The blood of our martyrs will not go in vain. Our resolve against terrorism will grow stronger, and the struggle for the establishment of peace will continue," Kundi said.
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to the fight against terrorism and prayed for the elevation of the martyrs' ranks and patience for their bereaved families.
