One policeman was killed and three terrorists neutralised in a Kohat shootout on Saturday, August 30, 2025, during a police operation. On Saturday, August 30, 2025, a Kohat shootout in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Darmalak area left one policeman martyred, two injured, and three terrorists dead, as police engaged militants in a counterterrorism operation.
Why It Matters
The Kohat shootout highlights the persistent threat of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a region grappling with escalating militant attacks, posing significant challenges to Pakistan’s security and stability in South Asia.
Details of the Kohat Shootout
On Saturday, August 30, 2025, a violent encounter unfolded in the mountainous Darmalak area of Kohat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, when terrorists opened fire on a police vehicle near the Darmalak police post. According to Regional Police Officer (RPO) Kohat Abbas Majeed Marwat, one policeman, identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Ashfaq, was martyred, and two others sustained injuries during the operation. “Three terrorists have been killed and several others injured as police retaliated in the mountains of Darmalak,” Marwat stated. The injured officers were promptly taken to Kohat District Headquarters Hospital for treatment.
The Rescue 1122 service reported that the attack occurred early in the day, with one policeman killed on the spot. A post on X by @War_Analysts at 2:59 PM on Saturday, August 30, 2025, confirmed the martyrdom of ASI Ashfaq and injuries to two constables during the Kohat shootout, aligning with official police statements. Authorities have launched a search operation to apprehend any surviving terrorists who may have fled the scene, with Marwat vowing, “We will not let the sacrifices of our martyrs go in vain and our war against terrorism will continue.”
Escalating Violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The Kohat shootout is part of a broader surge in terrorist activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly following the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)’s termination of its ceasefire with the Pakistani government in November 2022. Recent months have seen frequent attacks targeting law enforcement and security personnel. For instance, on August 25, 2025, two Federal Constabulary personnel were martyred and 18 others injured in a terrorist attack in Hangu district. Earlier, on August 14, 2025, five policemen were killed and eight injured in coordinated militant attacks on checkpoints across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Upper Dir, and Lower Dir.
In July 2025, a joint operation by the regional police and the Counter Terrorism Department in Bannu district resulted in the deaths of three wanted terrorists, underscoring Pakistan’s intensified counterterrorism efforts. According to the Counter-Terrorism Department, 2025 has seen 243 attacks on police personnel, with 167 policemen martyred, compared to 118 attacks and 83 martyrs in the previous year. Districts like Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber, and North Waziristan have been particularly hard-hit, reflecting the concentration of militant activity near the Afghan border.
Official Response and Condolences
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the Kohat police for their professionalism in thwarting the terrorists’ intentions during the Kohat shootout. He paid tribute to ASI Ashfaq, expressing condolences to his family and commending the police’s resolve against “Fitna al-Khawarij” terrorists, a term used to describe TTP-affiliated groups. The funeral prayers for ASI Ashfaq were held at the Police Lines in Kohat, attended by RPO Abbas Majeed, Commissioner Kohat Division Mutasim Billah Shah, and other officials, who honoured the fallen officer’s sacrifice.
Background
The ongoing insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, often referred to as the War in North-West Pakistan, began in 2004 and involves militant groups like the TTP, Lashkar-e-Islam, and al-Qaeda. The region has seen heightened violence since the TTP ended its ceasefire in 2022, with frequent attacks targeting security forces. Kohat, near the Afghan border, has been a flashpoint, including a January 2024 assault near Lachi Toll Plaza that killed three policemen and one civilian. On August 30, 2025, a deadly shootout in the mountains of Darmalak, Kohat, left one policeman martyred and three terrorists killed when police retaliated after being fired upon. The motive appears tied to insurgents targeting law enforcement amid ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
What’s Next
As authorities continue their search for injured terrorists who escaped the Kohat shootout, the incident underscores the need for sustained counterterrorism measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Further updates on the operation and the identities of the terrorists are expected in the coming days.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 12th, 2025
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