A policeman was killed and another injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire on them while they were on patrol in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat on August 9, Lakki Marwat Superintendent of Police (SP) Investigation Salahuddin Kundi said. The policemen were deployed with the City Rider Squad near the old police lines, within the jurisdiction of Lakki City police station, when the attack took place.
In a separate incident, two tribal elders were shot dead on Sunday by unidentified armed men in the Zarmilan area of Toi Khulla tehsil in Lower South Waziristan area. District Police Officer (DPO) Shah Hassan said the deceased were identified as Haji Gul and Malik Badshah, both members of the Suleman Khel tribe. Of late, the targetting of such elders who often play a role in mediation in disputes through jirga and other traditional local mechanisms is now becoming almost a regular happening.
Constable killed, another injured in shooting
Regarding the first incident, SP Salahuddin said: “Constable Sajidullah sustained serious injuries and later succumbed to them, while Constable Muhammad Waqas was wounded and shifted to hospital for treatment.”
Following the attack, police cordoned off the area and launched a search and combing operation to trace the attackers, according to a report of The Express Tribune datelined Dera Ismail Khan.
Lakki Marwat District Police Officer (DPO) Shehbaz Elahi visited the site of the attack and was briefed by SP Salahuddin in detail about the firing incident and the police action taken so far.
The DPO inspected the crime scene and directed the relevant officers to use all available resources to arrest those involved in the attack.
He ordered that evidence be collected and the investigation pursued using modern scientific and investigative techniques to bring the suspects to justice as soon as possible. The DPO further said, “Attacks on police personnel would not be tolerated under any circumstances.”
KP, Balochistan spinning out of control
Such incidents have shown a remarkable spike in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, in the recent months. On August 2, several police personnel were among 17 people killed in a suicide attack outside Kabal police station in Swat. Two days before that, on July 30, four police personnel, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police, two assistant sub-inspectors and a constable, were killed when terrorists attacked the Khazeena Banda police checkpost in Hangu. Eight terrorists were also killed in the attack.
The same day, two police officers, including an assistant sub-inspector, were killed when a police van was ambushed in Dera Ismail Khan’s Musa Zai area. The officers were escorting relatives of a seminary student who had been killed a day earlier when the vehicle came under fire.
The attacks came amid continued violence targeting police and other security personnel across the province. Different types of security forces, including the Pakistan Army and the police, are main targets of these TTP attacks.
Meanwhile, a report from Miransha said that two tribal elders were shot dead on Sunday by unidentified armed men in the Zarmilan area of Toi Khulla tehsil in Lower South Waziristan area. District Police Officer (DPO) Shah Hassan said the deceased were identified as Haji Gul and Malik Badshah, both members of the Suleman Khel tribe.
He said the two men were travelling from Gul Kach towards Zarmilan when unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle near Darozanda. Both men suffered multiple bullet wounds and died at the scene, he added. The attackers fled after the shooting.
Police registered a preliminary report at Toi Khulla police station and launched an investigation into the incident. “Every aspect of the incident is being examined,” Hassan said. The incident came amid growing concerns among residents over the deteriorating law and order situation in Lower South Waziristan.
In recent months, tribal elders and members of their families have also been targeted, raising concerns over the security of influential tribal figures. These elders have traditionally played a role in resolving disputes and maintaining peace through jirgas and other local mechanisms.
In May, prominent tribal elder and chief of the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe Malik Tariq Wazir was among three people killed in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast near Gulshan Plaza in the busy Rustam Bazaar area of Wana. Four other persons were injured in the explosion.
According to reports, the blast occurred when Malik Tariq was passing through the market in a vehicle. Police said explosives had allegedly been planted near the plaza during the night and detonated in the morning.
Malik Tariq was considered an influential tribal figure in the area and had played an important role in tribal jirgas and efforts to resolve local disputes. He was abducted by armed men in December 2024 but later released following efforts by tribal elders and local mediators.
Similarly, in June 2026, two sons of prominent tribal elder Malik Jamil Wazir were shot dead by unidentified gunmen near Kari Kot Bazaar in Wana tehsil. The deceased brothers were identified as Naveed Wazir and Moeenuddin Wazir.
According to reports, the two brothers were travelling on a motorcycle from their home towards Kari Kot Bazaar when armed men opened fire on them. Both were killed at the scene, while a passer-by was injured in the attack. The assailants fled after the shooting.
Malik Jamil Wazir and his family had previously been targeted as well. In September 2024, his vehicle was attacked with a remote-controlled bomb near Kari Kot Bazaar. The blast killed his son Shamsuddin Wazir and injured Malik Jamil and several others.
The latest attack in Zarmilan of Tehsil Toi Khulla once again raised concerns about the safety of tribal elders and ordinary citizens in Lower South Waziristan, where residents have repeatedly called for stronger security measures.
Local tribes have urged the federal government and security forces to take concrete and effective measures to restore lasting peace in the district and ensure the protection of tribal elders and residents.
