During an encounter with terrorists in Mardan’s Katlang tehsil, one police officer was killed and three others were injured. The terrorists opened fire on the police team and also threw a grenade, resulting in the martyrdom of SP Sherpao. The injured officers, including Rural DSP Naseem Khan and constables Mansoor and Saleem, were taken to a hospital for treatment.
Two militants were also killed in the exchange of fire. Additional police forces arrived at the scene after the SP’s death to conduct a search operation. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police paid tribute to the SP and confirmed the killing of terrorist commander Mohsin Qadir and his deputy Wasil.
Terror activities have increased in Pakistan, especially in KP and Balochistan, following the end of the ceasefire between the government and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan in November 2022. The Centre for Research and Security Studies reported a record high of 1,524 fatalities and 1,463 injuries in 2023 from 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations, with KP and Balochistan being the most affected regions.