gun attack police
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Gun attack on Police van kills two officers in DI …

ByJustpaste.in

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Two police personnel, including an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), were martyred after unidentified gunmen opened fire on a police van in the Daraban area of Dera Ismail Khan on Friday, authorities said.

According to officials from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), the attack occurred near Shah Alam Mor, where the police team was travelling to conduct an operation after receiving intelligence about the presence of suspected militants in the area.

As the police van reached the location, armed assailants launched a sudden attack, firing multiple rounds at the vehicle. The officers immediately returned fire, triggering a brief exchange of gunfire.

Despite the retaliation, two police officials, including an ASI, sustained critical injuries and were martyred in the line of duty. Officials said the attackers managed to flee the scene under the cover of the exchange of fire.

Security forces quickly cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace the attackers. Investigators are collecting evidence from the scene while intelligence agencies are assisting in identifying those responsible for the assault.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but authorities are treating it as an act of terrorism.

The latest incident highlights the persistent security challenges in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where law enforcement personnel have increasingly come under attack during counterterrorism operations.

Police officials vowed that those behind the ambush would be brought to justice, reaffirming their commitment to continuing operations against militant groups despite the growing threats. The sacrifice of the fallen officers, they said, reflects the courage and dedication of Pakistan’s security forces in maintaining peace and protecting citizens.

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The steep escalation has already attracted scrutiny from government officials. During the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) review, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal reportedly raised concerns over project management, transparency and oversight. Questions were also raised regarding the technical capacity of personnel associated with the project. The Ministry of Water Resources had previously highlighted shortcomings in an inquiry into problems encountered during project implementation. An inquiry into the failure of the downstream cofferdam reportedly concluded that the structural collapse was linked to design changes, inadequate supervision and delayed administrative action rather than flooding. The findings attributed the failure to the shift from roller-compacted concrete to a rock-fill structure, along with weaknesses in project oversight. The incident resulted in delays and financial losses, adding to concerns over the project’s rising cost. The Ministry of Finance also sought an explanation for the substantial increase in the project’s estimated cost. Since the scheme is being financed through international financial institutions, the ministry asked the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) to provide details regarding the mechanism for repayment. Despite the concerns and requests for additional information, the ECNEC ultimately approved the revised project cost. Road and infrastructure schemes The committee also approved the 48-kilometre Khwazakhela-Besham Expressway at a revised cost of Rs116.6 billion. The new estimate is around 47% higher than the original cost. Another interprovincial road scheme aimed at improving connectivity between Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir was approved at Rs29 billion, representing an increase of approximately Rs10 billion over its initial estimate. The Rathoa Haryam Bridge over the reservoir channel on the Mirpur-Islamgarh Road also received approval at a revised cost of Rs10.8 billion. Its original estimate had been only Rs1.4 billion, reflecting a substantial increase over the initial projection. The ECNEC further approved the Lahore Wastewater Treatment Plant at a cost of Rs56.6 billion, around Rs4.2 billion above the earlier estimate. Poverty alleviation and education initiatives The Southern Punjab Poverty Alleviation Project was approved at Rs29.7 billion and will cover 10 districts: Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Bhakkar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Khushab, Layyah, Mianwali, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur. The scheme includes an additional cost escalation of around Rs6.8 billion and is aimed at improving socioeconomic conditions and livelihood opportunities in some of the region’s less-developed areas. The ECNEC also sanctioned Rs10.6 billion for the Fulbright scholarship programme, under which 816 scholarships are planned. Of these, 550 MS and 141 PhD scholarships will be administered through the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP), while the Higher Education Commission (HEC) will provide funding for another 125 PhD scholarships through the PSDP. Water projects in Sindh and Balochistan The Mazarani Dam project in Qambar Shahdadkot, Sindh, was approved at an estimated cost of Rs16.1 billion. The committee directed the provincial authorities to begin Command Area Development alongside construction of the main dam so that the project’s agricultural and economic benefits could be realised during its second phase. The Winder Dam project was also approved at Rs21.6 billion, with the federal government expected to contribute Rs15.6 billion. Meanwhile, the Mashkel Dam in Washuk, Balochistan, received approval at a cost of Rs41 billion. 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