Peshawar (November 3) — A convoy escorting the District Police Officer (DPO) of North Waziristan, Waqar Ahmad, came under a violent attack on the Bannu–Miranshah Road, resulting in injuries to five police personnel, officials confirmed on Sunday.
According to police sources, the attack occurred in the Mammash Khel area, a locality that has witnessed sporadic militant activity in recent months. Gunmen opened fire on the DPO’s security convoy as it was traveling along the busy route connecting Bannu and Miranshah, the administrative headquarters of North Waziristan district.
Fortunately, DPO Waqar Ahmad escaped the attack unhurt, though the assailants managed to injure five members of his security detail. “The DPO remained safe in the incident, while five of our men sustained injuries,” a police official said, adding that the wounded officers were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital where they are receiving treatment.
Following the attack, police reinforcements were dispatched to the scene, and a search operation was launched to track down the perpetrators. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the attackers fled toward the nearby tribal belt or deeper into the rugged terrain of the North Waziristan hills, a region known for providing cover to militant groups.
Eyewitnesses reported that gunfire erupted suddenly as the convoy passed through the area, causing panic among travelers and locals. The intensity of the assault indicated that the attackers were well-prepared and possibly monitoring the convoy’s movement in advance.
Security officials suspect that the assault may have been carried out by terrorist elements operating along the border regions of North Waziristan, an area that has seen a resurgence in militant activities in recent years despite multiple counterterrorism operations by Pakistani forces.
A police spokesperson stated that the injured officers are in stable condition and receiving medical care. “Our teams have sealed off the area, and a coordinated effort is underway with intelligence agencies to apprehend those responsible,” the spokesperson added.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the attackers may have used automatic weapons, and authorities are examining bullet casings recovered from the site to identify the type of firearms used. Forensic teams have also collected evidence, including vehicle fragments and traces of explosives, to determine whether the ambush was accompanied by a bomb or grenade attack.
This latest incident underscores the volatile security situation in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in the former tribal districts bordering Afghanistan. While Pakistan’s military operations — such as Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad — have largely dismantled organized militant networks, sleeper cells and smaller militant factions remain active, occasionally targeting police, security forces, and local administrators.
In recent months, several attacks have been reported across the merged tribal districts, including North and South Waziristan, Dera Ismail Khan, and Bajaur. These attacks have primarily targeted law enforcement agencies, leading to renewed concerns about cross-border infiltration and the regrouping of extremist outfits.
Security analysts believe the attack on DPO Waqar Ahmad’s convoy could be an attempt to intimidate local law enforcement ahead of intensified counterterror operations in the region. The DPO had reportedly been overseeing security measures in sensitive zones and monitoring the implementation of anti-terror strategies.
