PESHAWAR, Dec 17: On Tuesday, terrorists launched a grenade attack on a police check-post in the volatile Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of at least two police officers and injuring three others, according to police reports.
The incident occurred in the Chakesar area of the mountainous Shangla district. Officials stated that the assailants threw a hand grenade and opened fire on the check-post before fleeing the scene.
As a result of the attack, two policemen were killed, and three others sustained injuries. The wounded officers were promptly taken to a hospital in Battagram for treatment.
As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the assault.
Such terrorist attacks have escalated in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, particularly targeting law enforcement and security personnel.
A report from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) revealed a significant rise in fatalities related to terrorist violence and counter-terrorism efforts during the third quarter (July-September) of 2024, showing a 90 percent increase in incidents. A total of 722 individuals, including civilians, security forces, and criminals, were killed, while 615 others were injured across 328 recorded incidents.
Approximately 97 percent of these fatalities occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, marking the highest percentage in a decade. Over 92 percent of both terror attacks and security operations were also concentrated in these provinces.
The total number of fatalities for the first three quarters of this year has now eclipsed those of the entire year of 2023, with at least 1,534 confirmed deaths compared to 1,523 the previous year.
In the meantime, terrorist organizations appear to be reorganizing and strengthening their forces. Most recent terror attacks have gone unclaimed, possibly for strategic reasons, as indicated by the report. (PTI)
