QETTA

Militants attacked the Khazina Banda police security checkpost in Hangu district of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghanistan border, leading to a firefight and additional gunfire when reinforcements arrived. Pakistan’s top political leadership condemned the attack, and Pakistan’s authorities described the attackers as “Fitna al Khawarij,” a government label for banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants.

What happened (attack location and clash details)

The attack targeted the Khazina Banda checkpost in Hangu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, close to the Afghanistan border. The incident took place late Wednesday.

Militants attacked the Khazina Banda checkpost in Hangu district near the Afghanistan border.No militant group immediately claimed responsibility.Police reported nine policemen killed, including a senior officer.Police reported over two dozen policemen injured during the firefight.Police reported 15 militants killed in the clash.Pakistan’s security forces dispatched reinforcements, and reinforcements were also fired upon.

Background and actor attribution (“Fitna al Khawarij” and TTP)

Pakistan’s authorities described the attackers using the label “Fitna al Khawarij”. Pakistan’s authorities use this label for banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants. No militant group immediately claimed responsibility in the initial aftermath of the attack.