Two policemen were martyred, and another was injured when unidentified armed men attacked a polio vaccination team in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's (K-P) Mohmand district on Tuesday, District Police Officer (DPO) Raza Muhammad Khan said.
“On November 1, 2026, security forces conducted two intelligence-based operations in Kachhi and Kharan districts of Balochistan on the reported presence of terrorists belonging to Indian proxies, Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij, neutralising 17 Indian-sponsored terrorists,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
The federal government last year officially designated all militant groups operating in Balochistan as Fitna al-Hindustan, accusing India of sponsoring a proxy war through these outfits. Fitna al-Khawarij is a term used by the state for terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The first operation was conducted in the Sanni area of Kachhi district, where security forces foiled an attempt by terrorists to establish a roadblock, killing 10 of them. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered.
In the second operation in Kharan district, security forces busted a terrorist hideout. Following an intense exchange of fire, seven TTP members were killed, the ISPR said, adding that weapons and ammunition were also recovered.
“Meanwhile, during the intense fire exchange, Sepoy Hikmatullah, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom,” the statement said.
Sanitisation operations were underway to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area, it added.
The ISPR said the counterterrorism campaign under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue at full pace to eliminate the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.
President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces for killing the 17 terrorists in the two operations.
In a statement, the president commended security forces for foiling the attempt to block a road in Kachhi district, saying their timely and effective action had thwarted the militants’ designs.
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He also lauded the successful operation in Kharan district and expressed grief over the martyrdom of Sepoy Hikmatullah.
Zardari said the soldier’s sacrifice for the defence, peace and security of the country would always be remembered.
The president said operations under Azm-e-Istehkam would continue until terrorism sponsored and supported by foreign elements was eliminated.
He also praised the continued efforts and sacrifices of security forces and law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism, describing them as a source of pride.
Separately, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to security forces for their successful operations against Indian-sponsored militants in Balochistan, commending their professionalism in foiling the militants’ nefarious designs.
“I salute the security forces for sending 17 Indian-sponsored terrorists to hell,” he said.
He also paid tribute to Sepoy Hikmatullah, who was martyred during the operations, saying the soldier had set a supreme example by sacrificing his life for the country
The DPO said one terrorist was also injured in the incident while a search operation was underway following the attack.
The attack took place in the Tamanzai area, within the jurisdiction of Pandiali Police Station, during an anti-polio vaccination campaign. Police identified the martyred personnel as Zahoor and Arabi, while the injured officer was named Sabir.
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the incident, expressing "profound grief and sorrow" over the martyrdom of the police personnel, paying tribute to their "dedication, bravery, and national services."
According to a post on X, President Zardari stated that the targeting of personnel performing their duties in the anti-polio campaign "to protect children" was "extremely regrettable and condemnable:"
He expressed heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of the martyrs, while extending prayers for the swift recovery of the injured personnel.
"Police personnel deployed to protect polio teams are performing a national duty; their sacrifices will not be forgotten," President Zardari said.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the firing on the personnel deployed on anti-polio duty, paying tribute to the two policemen martyred in the incident. Naqvi expressed "heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of the martyred," the statement said.
"The policemen deployed to protect polio workers are striving for our healthy future," Naqvi said. He also termed the incident "unacceptable," saying that "the elements involved in the firing do not deserve any leniency."
Earlier, four polio workers were abducted by unidentified armed men after being subjected to gunfire in the Tank district, while two other members of a polio vaccination team, who had been kidnapped in Lower South Waziristan, were subsequently released.
The incident in Tank occurred in the village of Jious, located in the Sheikh Attar union council, where unidentified armed men abducted four polio workers. The gunmen reportedly took all four workers to an undisclosed location.
In a separate incident, two members of a polio vaccination team were abducted by armed men in the Azam Warsak area of Lower South Waziristan. Sources said armed men affiliated with the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were allegedly involved in the kidnapping. However, both polio workers were later released.
The incidents came amid a special anti-polio campaign launched on November 2 in 97 selected districts across the country. According to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) for Polio Eradication, the campaign will continue until November 8.
NEOC confirmed Pakistan’s seventh polio case of the year, reported from Khyber district of K-P. The affected child was a 13-month-old girl belonging to Jan Baz Union Council in Bara tehsil, the NEOC said. This was the second polio case reported from Khyber district this year and the sixth from K-P.