Tragic Kohat Strike 1 DSP Among 7 Brave Police Personnel Martyred
The Details of the Ambush
The attack occurred in the Lachi area near Shakardara Road. According to senior police officials, a police vehicle was in the process of transporting two individuals for a scheduled court appearance. The routine nature of the task made the sudden eruption of gunfire even more jarring.
The primary target appeared to be the DSP of Lachi police station. In the ensuing chaos, the Tragic Kohat Strike claimed the lives of the DSP, one Inspector, and four dedicated Constables. Furthermore, the violence did not distinguish between the law and those in custody; one of the two individuals being transported was also killed during the assault. This calculated act of terror highlights the vulnerability of security officials even during essential administrative movements.
A Province Under Siege
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has unfortunately become a focal point for militant activity over the last year. Just a day prior to the Kohat incident, three Federal Constabulary (FCN) personnel were martyred in the neighboring Karak district. In that instance, even first responders were not spared, as Rescue 1122 ambulances were ambushed and destroyed by fire.
When we analyze the broader security landscape, the data is alarming. The Annual Security Report 2025 by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) indicates that fatalities in KP rose from 1,620 in 2024 to a staggering 2,331 in 2025.
The Human Cost of Service
Beyond the tactical analysis of the Tragic Kohat Strike, we must look at the human lives extinguished. These were fathers, sons, and brothers. The DSP and his team were veterans of a force that has consistently stood between the civilian population and the rising tide of extremism.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, while condemning the attack, noted that the police are fighting a war with unmatched bravery. However, bravery alone cannot bridge the gap when the law and order situation in southern districts has deteriorated so significantly.
National Reaction and Condolences
President Asif Ali Zardari was among the first to issue a formal condemnation, paying glowing tributes to the fallen heroes.Yet, for many citizens, these condolences are beginning to feel routine.
The Strategic Importance of the Region
Kohat and its surrounding districts like Karak and Bajaur are strategically sensitive. The recent suicide bombing at a checkpost in Bajaur, which martyred 11 security personnel and an innocent young girl, shows that terrorists are willing to use diverse tactics—from IEDs and suicide vests to the direct ambushes seen in the Tragic Kohat Strike.
The security forces have launched a search operation in the Lachi area to apprehend the cowards responsible for this latest carnage. Cordoning off the area and launching investigations are standard procedures, but the frequency of these attacks suggests that the perpetrators often vanish into the difficult terrain or find refuge in local hideouts.
Moving Forward: Security and Stability
To prevent another Tragic Kohat Strike, the provincial and federal governments must align their resources. The police force in KP is currently performing duties that resemble paramilitary operations more than traditional civil policing. They require sophisticated technology and real-time intelligence sharing to anticipate such ambushes.
The escalating violence, as noted in the CRSS report, suggests that the current containment strategies are being tested to their limits. The Tragic Kohat Strike should serve as a catalyst for a renewed security audit of the southern districts. If the police—the very arm of the state responsible for security—cannot move safely between a police station and a court, the message sent to the public is one of fear.
Conclusion: Honoring the Fallen
As the bodies of the DSP and his men are laid to rest with full police honors, the nation must reflect on the cost of its peace. The Tragic Kohat Strike is a scar on the heart of the province, but it also reinforces the resolve of the remaining officers who return to their posts the very next day.
We must continue to support our law enforcement agencies while demanding a clearer, more robust roadmap for peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Only through a combination of military precision, social development, and political will can we hope to see an end to the “martyrdom culture” that has claimed so many of our brightest stars. The victims of the Tragic Kohat Strike deserve nothing less than a country that values their lives as much as it honors their deaths.
