KOHAT: Ten policemen were martyred and 18 terrorists killed in a gunfight during an operation against illegal gold mining in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kohat district, police said on Wednesday.
The operation was carried out by KP Police and the local civil administration against those involved in illegal gold mining at Darabo Kach, near Kohat.
According to police, the “Fitna al-Khawarij” attacked the police party at the behest of criminal elements as it was returning after completing the operation.
Police said the personnel fought the attackers with great courage and bravery, which resulted in the deaths of 18 militants. Ten KP policemen were martyred while fighting valiantly.
Police said the joint attack by criminal elements and the Fitna al-Khawarij, acting at the behest of external forces, was clear proof of organised links between the criminal mafia and the militants.
“This incident once again proves that the Fitna al-Khawarij have nothing to do with Islam and Pakistan,” police said, adding that the militants were working with criminal mafias to achieve their “nefarious objectives”.
Police vowed that all possible action would be taken against the criminal elements and the Fitna al-Khawarij allegedly operating with external backing. “Facilitators of the Khawarij and criminal mafias will not be spared under any circumstances. No illegal activity will be allowed,” police said.
The martyred policemen belonged to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly Kohat district, police said. “Their sacrifices will always be remembered.”
