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Terrorists torch ambulance carrying wounded officers in northwestern Pakistan, sparking outrage in public

By Khushal Khan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan - Terrorists attacked and set fire to an ambulance transporting wounded paramilitary personnel in northwestern Pakistan, martyred three officers, and injured others in an assault that has triggered public outrage and renewed vows of a crackdown by security forces.

The incident occurred on Monday in Qila Shaheedan, an area of Karak district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

According to officials, terrorists first used a quadcopter drone to strike a post of the Federal Constabulary.

Two ambulances of Rescue 1122 were dispatched to evacuate the wounded. On their return journey, both vehicles came under attack.

One ambulance was set ablaze with injured personnel inside, martyred Sepoy Murad Gul, Sepoy Ayan Khan, and Lance Naik Adil Khan,, all residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The second ambulance managed to evacuate its passengers safely, though the driver and a rescue worker suffered burn injuries.

Authorities said the attackers filmed the assault and circulated the footage on social media, calling it an attempt to spread fear.

Officials condemned the targeting of medical transport and wounded personnel, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, describing it as a violation of humanitarian norms and Islamic principles.

In a statement, security officials said “the blood of these personnel will not go in vain” and pledged that operations against militant groups would continue “until the last fighter is eliminated.”

The attack has intensified public anger in the province, which has seen a surge in violence in recent months. Abdul Manan, a resident of Karak, said the terrorists had “crossed all limits,” describing them as “monsters, not human,” and urging people across the province to stand up against militancy.

Farooq Adil, a resident of Bannu district, said communities have witnessed repeated attacks on mosques, schools, shops, and civilians. “Now this is a war against the public,” he said. “It is not only the job of security forces. People must unite.”

Some residents blamed terrorists linked to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), who operate from eastern Afghanistan before crossing into Pakistan to carry out attacks. Pakistani authorities always accused the group of using safe havens across the border in Afghanistan, claims the Afghan Taliban administration has denied.