Islamabad, May 10, 2026 (Reuters) – Twelve cops were killed and three others injured late Saturday night as militants carried out a suicide bombing and a subsequent attack at a police checkpost in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, a police official said.

The attack took place late Saturday night as militants targeted the Fateh Khel police checkpost in the northwestern Bannu district, police spokesperson Kashif Khan said. The attack took place when militants rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the police checkpost and launched an attack on it later, Khan added.

In a separate statement, Bannu police said Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Sajjad Khan arrived at the site shortly after the attack and led the police operation against militants.

“So far, the bodies of 12 martyred personnel have been recovered from the collapsed building and shifted to DHQ Hospital, while three personnel have been rescued alive from the rubble and immediately transferred to DHQ Hospital for medical treatment,” Bannu police said.

Bannu police said its reinforcements reached the site on time as the attack occurred, adding that the area has been completely cordoned off.

“Search and rescue operations are still ongoing,” it said.

The DIG later visited DHQ Hospital Bannu to inquire after the injured police personnel and directed authorities to provide them with the best possible medical facilities.

Though no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the Pakistani Taliban or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have carried out some of the deadliest attacks against law enforcers in KP over the years.

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of sheltering militants who launch attacks against it, charges that Kabul denies.

Surging militant attacks in Pakistan since the Taliban took over in Afghanistan in 2021 have soured relations between Islamabad and Kabul, leading to fierce clashes between both sides since February this year.