A terrorist attack on the Peezo police station in Lakki Marwat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was successfully thwarted by the police.
The assailants, armed with firearms and hand grenades, initiated the attack, but quick retaliatory fire from the police prevented any damage to the station. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported.
In a separate incident, an attempt to attack the 15 Police post at Gundi Chowk earlier in the day was also foiled by the police.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has experienced a concerning rise in terrorist activities over the past few years, especially following the Taliban-led administration takeover in Afghanistan in 2021.
The increase in terror attacks has impacted the region, leading to heightened violence and instability. Southern districts, in particular, have witnessed a surge in attacks on police, security forces, and civilians.
Recent months have seen terrorists targeting political figures and gatherings in certain parts of the province. Security personnel, including the military and police, have also been subjected to attacks. Despite challenges, senior police officials have noted improvements in some areas, with ongoing efforts to enhance law and order in the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
As the country approaches a crucial general election scheduled for February 8, the military has intensified operations against terror outfits and terrorists, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In a recent intelligence-based operation, security forces successfully eliminated four terrorists in Mir Ali, North Waziristan district.
It is essential to acknowledge that 2023 witnessed a significant number of terror attacks, totaling 586, with 17% attributed to banned terror outfits such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Daesh, and others.
In response, security forces carried out 197 operations against outlawed groups, resulting in the neutralization of 537-545 individuals involved in terrorist activities. The ongoing efforts underscore the challenges faced by the authorities in maintaining security and stability in the region.