Three police officers killed, 19 wounded in militant attacks in KP

PESHAWAR: Three police officers were killed and at least 19 others were wounded in separate militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, authorities said Wednesday.

In Lower Dir, security forces including police, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and the Elite Force came under attack during a search operation in the Haidarai Kandu Top area after receiving intelligence about the presence of militants. The ensuing gun battle left three police officers dead and 15 others injured, according to police officials.

Authorities said militants also set three police vehicles on fire during the clash. The wounded officers were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Timergara, while hospitals across Lower Dir were placed on emergency alert.

In a separate incident in Bannu, militants rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into Meryan Police Station, triggering an ongoing exchange of gunfire with security personnel.

Police said four officers were injured in the attack, and additional security forces were deployed to the area as the operation against the assailants continued.

Authorities have not yet released further details about the attackers or claimed responsibility for either assault.