Militants ambushed a police team in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Wednesday, killing 11 police personnel, including a DSP and a sub-inspector, and injuring 12 others. The police team was on its way to conduct raids against illegal gold mining when the attackers targeted it in the Darbokach area between Kohat and Karak. The attackers were hiding in the surrounding hills. The incident took place in the Gumbat area of Kohat district. Five police vehicles were set on fire in the attack. The sudden gunfire gave the police team no time to respond. A heavy exchange of fire then broke out between the police and the attackers. Police accuse TTP of carrying out the attack Additional police forces and security personnel were sent to the area after the attack. Security has been heightened across the area. An emergency was declared at the District Headquarters Teaching Hospital for the treatment of the injured. Police said the attack was carried out by militants linked to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The TTP is also known as the Pakistani Taliban. It is a militant organisation active in Pakistan that fights against the Pakistani government and military. The TTP wants to implement Islamic law, or Sharia, in Pakistan. Ban imposed on parking excavation machines The administration had already been taking action to curb illegal gold mining in Kohat. A day before the attack, the deputy commissioner banned the parking of excavation machines in mining areas for 60 days. The administration said some people had parked these machines at their homes near the mining areas. They could be used to extract gold illegally and secretly. Despite several crackdowns, people continued to use these machines for illegal mining. In addition, the administration had also banned the sale and purchase of fuels such as petrol and diesel in open containers and bottles. According to officials, these fuels were being used to extract gold illegally. Militant attacks on police increase in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Attacks on police and security forces continue in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Police have been targeted several times in the past month. Several police personnel have been killed in these attacks, while many others have been injured. 3 November: Unknown gunmen opened fire on police personnel in Mohmand district. Two police personnel were killed, while one was injured. 29 October: Militants attacked a police post in Bajaur district. A police officer was killed in the attack. 20 October: An additional station house officer (SHO) was killed in firing near Miranshah Bypass Road in North Waziristan. 7 October: Militants targeted a police checkpoint in Kohat. Seven police personnel were injured in the attack. Governor’s rule imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from 11 October Governor’s rule and a state of emergency have been in force in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province since 11 October. President Asif Ali Zardari approved the move on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Following this, the powers of Imran Khan’s party PTI’s provincial government were revoked and the province’s administration came under the control of the federal government. The decision was taken amid a rise in militant attacks in the province. The federal government alleged that the PTI government was not taking the fight against terrorism seriously. The provincial government was also not providing full cooperation in security forces’ operations. Pakistan’s information minister had also accused the provincial government of having an alliance with militants. The central government said the step was necessary in view of the deteriorating security situation. PTI, however, opposed it, alleging that governor’s rule had been imposed to suppress the demand for Imran Khan’s release and remove the elected government. The party has also challenged the decision in court. Post navigation Grandson has no claim over grandfather’s property after partition:SC says father’s share becomes private property once inherited
