- Police say several militants killed in exchange of fire.
- Armed men set a police mobile on fire, say officials.
- Emergency declared at Kohat hospitals after incident.
KOHAT: At least 12 policemen were injured in firing during an operation against illegal gold mining in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kohat district, police said on Wednesday.
The incident took place in the Darbukach area, within the limits of Gumbat police station, where the operation against illegal gold mining on the River Indus was underway, the police added.
Police said terrorists belonging to Fitna al Khawarij and criminal elements ambushed the police party. They added that illegal gold mining in the area had been continuing because of a nexus between terrorists and criminals.
Those injured include DSP Haider Zaman and Gumbat SHO Ayaz Afridi. The injured were shifted to the hospital.
Police said armed men also set a police mobile on fire. They added that an exchange of fire between the police and the militants was underway.
Fresh contingents of police and security forces have reached the spot, the police added.
District Police Officer (DPO) Kohat said the pursuit of the Fitna al Khawarij was continuing and the operation would go on until the last militant was eliminated.
Emergency has been imposed at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, Kohat, said Medical Superintendent Dr Tahir Ali Shah.
