In a grim turn of events, Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been gripped by a wave of violence, with a series of coordinated attacks and clashes between security forces and militants leaving at least five security personnel and three civilians dead over the weekend and into Monday, August 26, 2025. The violence, which spanned several districts, also resulted in injuries to at least 17 security personnel and civilians, and saw retaliatory operations that killed at least seven suspected militants, according to reports from Dawn and other official sources.
The first of these deadly incidents unfolded late Sunday night in the Dobando area of Upper Dir district, where fierce clashes erupted between security forces and militants believed to be affiliated with the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). According to officials cited by Dawn, five suspected militants were killed during the exchange, which raged for several hours, leaving seven policemen wounded. Tragically, two civilians from the nearby Hatnar Dara area were also caught in the crossfire and lost their lives. A senior official from the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of police told Dawn, “The bodies of all five terrorists were in police custody. They might have links across the border in Afghanistan.”
While the dust was still settling in Upper Dir, violence broke out in neighboring Lower Dir’s Lajbook Dara area. Heavy firing between police and militants was reported, and the attackers set police vehicles ablaze, including two pick-up trucks and a car. The outlawed TTP claimed on social media that they had “seized the vehicles and destroyed them.” Despite the chaos, police officials assured the public that the situation was under control. “We will never bow down to the mischief of the Kharijites (militants),” one police officer declared, as quoted by Dawn.
Elsewhere in the province, tragedy struck the Bajaur district, where Head Constable Shah Wazir Khan, a policeman from Lower Dir, was killed in militant firing. His funeral, attended by senior police and military officials as well as local residents, was marked by solemn tributes. District Police Officer Abdul Salam Khalid, speaking at the funeral, said, “The sacrifice of the fallen policeman would never be forgotten. We will continue to stand by the families of martyrs in all circumstances.”
Hangu district, meanwhile, saw one of the deadliest attacks when militants stormed the Tora Warai Frontier Constabulary (FC) fort late on August 25. According to officials cited by Dawn and other sources, two personnel of the Hangu scouts were killed and several others injured in the attack. In the ensuing gun battle, two militants were also killed. The gravity of the situation drew senior government and security officials to the scene. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, joined by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and other top brass, attended the funeral of the fallen personnel. Addressing the families of the martyrs, Naqvi stated, “You have set an unforgettable example of bravery and repelled the enemy’s attack. The way you fought against Indian-sponsored terrorists is highly commendable. We all stand with you and will always remain by your side.” Naqvi also visited FC Hospital to inquire after the wounded, including Naib Subedar Kashif.
On the same day, the Tirah valley of Khyber district was rocked by another terrorist attack. Armed militants targeted a security post manned by an army unit, resulting in the deaths of Lance Naik Ali Hasan Jan and Sepoy Nabi Jan. The attackers managed to flee after security forces retaliated, prompting a search operation in the region. Residents were urged to stay indoors as authorities swept the area for suspects.
The violence did not end there. In Jamrud, a policeman named Khurshid Khan was killed in a shooting incident in the Ghundi area. Police officials are still investigating the motive, though they have not ruled out the possibility of a family feud. The incident added to the already tense atmosphere in the region, which has seen a marked uptick in militant activity in recent months.
Perhaps the most heartbreaking incident occurred in North Waziristan’s Mir Ali area, where a quadcopter strike on a house killed a two-year-old boy, Sahir Tufail, and injured his grandmother. According to sources cited by Dawn, the drone targeted a house in Barokhel village on August 26, 2025. The injured woman was rushed to Mir Ali hospital for treatment. This tragic loss of innocent civilian life underscores the far-reaching consequences of the ongoing conflict in the region.
Security forces responded to the surge in violence with a series of joint operations. In Upper Dir, police and the counter-terrorism department launched a coordinated assault, resulting in the deaths of five militants. A civilian was also killed, and seven policemen were hurt in the operation, according to official statements. Authorities believe the militants may have had connections across the border in Afghanistan, raising concerns about the porous nature of the frontier and the cross-border movement of armed groups.
While the violence of the past weekend is not unprecedented in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the near-simultaneous attacks across multiple districts have sent shockwaves through the region. The attacks have targeted both security personnel and civilians, with militants showing a willingness to strike at fortified positions and to inflict collateral damage on local communities. The torching of police vehicles in Lower Dir and the use of drones in North Waziristan point to evolving tactics among militant groups, who continue to challenge the state’s authority and disrupt the fragile peace.
Officials have vowed to continue their operations against militants and to support the families of those killed and injured in the line of duty. Interior Minister Naqvi’s words at the funeral in Hangu echoed a broader sentiment among security officials: “The sacrifices of the martyrs would not go in vain.” Yet, for many families in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the pain of loss is immediate and profound, with the specter of violence casting a long shadow over daily life.
As the province mourns its dead and security forces brace for further confrontations, the events of August 25 and 26 serve as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by militant groups in Pakistan’s northwest. The resilience and bravery of security personnel and civilians alike are being tested in these trying times, even as the government pledges to restore peace and stability to the troubled region.
