HANGU: At least three policemen, including Superintendent of Police (SP) Operations Asad Zubair, were martyred in a twin blast attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Hangu district on Friday.
The attack, which also left three other officers injured, targeted the police convoy while they were en route to inspect a previous explosion site.
According to police officials, the first blast occurred near a police checkpoint in Ghulmina but resulted in no casualties. However, the second explosion targeted SP Zubair’s vehicle in the Darband area, about two kilometers from the checkpoint. The blast, believed to be an improvised explosive device (IED), claimed the lives of SP Zubair and two other officers, with three additional officers injured in the attack.
Search Operation Launched in Response to Attack
In the aftermath of the deadly blasts, a bomb disposal squad and police commandos have launched a search operation in the area. The injured officers were immediately transported to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Hangu for medical treatment. District Police Officer (DPO) Khanzeb Mohmand confirmed the developments and said efforts were underway to apprehend the perpetrators.
Condemnation from Top Officials
The attack has been widely condemned across Pakistan. President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his grief over the loss of the police officers, condemning the attack as the work of “India-backed Khawarij terrorists.” He described the attackers as “enemies of Pakistan’s peace and stability” and paid tribute to the sacrifices of the martyred policemen.
President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemns the Hangu attack by India-backed Khawarij terrorists. He said terrorists are enemies of Pakistan’s peace and stability. He paid tribute to martyred SP Asad Zubair and police personnel, praying for the martyrs and their families.
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) October 24, 2025
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also offered condolences to the families of the fallen officers, vowing that their sacrifice would not be in vain. “SP Zubair and his team have given the ultimate sacrifice in service of the nation. Their martyrdom will inspire us to continue our fight against terror,” said Naqvi.
Increasing Terrorism in KP Amid Border Tensions
The attack highlights the rising insecurity in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which shares a porous border with Afghanistan. Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, there has been a significant surge in cross-border terrorism.
According to a recent police report, KP has witnessed more than 600 terror incidents in the first eight months of 2025, with 138 civilians and 79 police personnel martyred. Over 100 people have also been injured in such attacks this year alone.
The blast in Hangu is part of this broader wave of violence, which continues to pose a major challenge to security forces in the region. The increasing frequency of these attacks has led to heightened concerns about the long-term stability of KP and other bordering provinces.
