Two police officers were martyred after unidentified armed men ambushed a police patrol in the Daraban area of Dera Ismail Khan (DI Khan) on Friday, according to police officials. The attack has prompted a large-scale search operation to apprehend those responsible.

Regional Police Officer Ghulam Mubashir Mekan said the attack occurred near Shah Alam Mor within the jurisdiction of Choudhwan Police Station. The police team was returning after helping resolve a protest that had erupted following the fatal shooting of a civilian the previous night.

Police said unidentified gunmen had earlier attempted to stop two men riding a motorcycle in the Choudhwan area. When the riders failed to stop, the attackers opened fire, killing one of them. The incident sparked protests, with residents blocking Daraban Road before negotiations with police led to its reopening.

As four police personnel travelled back on two motorcycles after the protest ended, armed assailants lying in wait opened fire on the patrol. Assistant Sub-Inspector Faqir Hussain and Head Constable Wazir Khan were martyred in the ambush, while two other officers escaped unharmed. Police and security forces reached the scene, shifted the bodies to a hospital and launched a search operation. Investigators are working to identify and arrest the attackers.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the attack, paid tribute to the fallen officers, and expressed condolences to their families, describing the martyred policemen as heroes who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.