Pakistan terror attack in Kharan sees police station and CTD offices burned with no casualties reported

A Pakistan terror attack unfolded late on Saturday night when armed attackers stormed a police station and Counter-Terrorism Department offices in Kharan, Balochistan, ransacking and burning the buildings before escaping as security forces launched operations with no casualties reported.

Attack on Kharan Police Facilities

Armed men entered Kharan late on Saturday night and targeted the city police station, where they ransacked official records and set the building on fire. [1] The attackers also entered the CTD office, destroyed its records, and later set the premises ablaze. [1] Sources described the attackers as reportedly in large numbers. [1] They escaped from Kharan after the assaults on the facilities. [1] No casualties were reported in the exchange of fire or during the attacks on the police station and CTD offices. [1]

Security Response and Province-wide Alert

Security forces rushed to the area after receiving information about the attack and launched operations against the attackers in different parts of Kharan city. [1] Heavy firing continued until late at night, while large contingents of Frontier Corps and police personnel were deployed at the entry and exit points of the city as well as other sensitive locations. [1] A search operation by security forces was continuing. [1] Following the incident, the authorities declared a province-wide high alert and directed all officials to immediately report to their respective police stations. [1] They were asked to remain fully armed and prepared for any emergency, while unnecessary movement was restricted as a precautionary measure. [1] Police across Balochistan were placed on high alert with all officials ordered to report to stations fully armed. [1]

Pattern of Double-Tap Attacks

The Kharan incident follows a pattern of double-tap terrorist attacks seen in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. [2] As part of their two-stage strategy, terrorists first strike a police installation and engage personnel deployed inside the facility while deploying another team along possible reinforcement routes. [2] During the past three years, at least 16 police personnel, including three deputy superintendents of police, have fallen victim to this two-stage strategy. [2] On July 29, nine police personnel, including DSP Diyar Khan, were martyred and 28 others injured when terrorists first stormed a police checkpost in the Khazina Banda area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu district and later attacked the additional force dispatched to assist. [2] The first such incident took place on Jan 15, 2023, when DSP Sardar Hussain, along with his two gunmen, was martyred in