The tragic news from Kohat has once again plunged the entire nation into grief and sorrow. The brutal attack on a police vehicle at Darabokach, in the Gambat area of Kohat, in which initial reports indicate that ten police personnel were martyred, is a horrifying reminder of the heavy price Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continues to pay for peace. The attackers not only opened indiscriminate fire on the police personnel but also set their vehicle ablaze before fleeing the scene. Such barbarity is an assault on humanity, public security and the authority of the state.

Behind every martyr is a family whose world has been shattered. There are mothers who will wait in vain for their sons to return, children who have lost the protection and affection of their fathers, wives whose lives have been changed forever, and elderly parents deprived of their greatest support. These are not merely statistics in a news report; they are human lives, broken families and stories of immeasurable sacrifice. The pain of these families belongs to the entire nation.

But one question continues to haunt the people of this province: How long will Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continue to sacrifice its brave sons? How many more funerals must its people attend before lasting peace becomes a reality? When will this endless cycle of violence and bloodshed come to an end?

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has endured decades of terrorism, instability and violence. Thousands of its citizens, police personnel, military officers and other security personnel have laid down their lives in defence of the country. Markets have been destroyed, educational institutions targeted, places of worship attacked and countless families displaced or devastated. Yet the people of this province have demonstrated extraordinary courage and resilience.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police deserve particular recognition. They have continued to perform their duties under exceptionally dangerous circumstances, often confronting terrorists at the cost of their own lives. Their commitment to public safety, despite inadequate resources and persistent threats, reflects remarkable courage and professional dedication. These officers are not simply government employees; they are the frontline defenders of ordinary citizens and the guardians of public order.

Wearing a uniform does not make a person immune to fear, pain or family responsibilities. Every police officer has dreams, loved ones and a home to return to. Yet these brave men accept the responsibility of protecting others, knowing that their duty may demand the ultimate sacrifice. Their courage deserves more than ceremonial tributes; it demands genuine national recognition and practical support.

The state must ensure that the families of these martyrs are never abandoned. Their children deserve quality education, healthcare and a secure future, while their spouses and elderly parents must receive continued financial and institutional support. The sacrifice of a police officer must never become the beginning of another struggle for the survival of his family.

At the same time, this tragedy demands serious questions from the government and relevant institutions. Where does our counterterrorism strategy stand? Are our police personnel adequately equipped to confront increasingly sophisticated threats? Are modern weapons, armoured vehicles, protective equipment and specialised training being provided? Is intelligence being effectively gathered, analysed and acted upon? Most importantly, are the networks behind these attacks, including their facilitators and financial supporters, being systematically dismantled?

Condemnations after every attack cannot substitute for an effective security policy. Terrorism requires a sustained national response based on political commitment, professional leadership, intelligence coordination and institutional accountability. The police cannot be expected to fight this battle alone. They must receive the resources, technology, training and operational support necessary to protect themselves and the public.

Every major terrorist attack must also be investigated thoroughly and impartially. The authorities must establish how such attacks were planned and executed, identify security weaknesses and hold those responsible accountable. The objective should not simply be to respond to individual incidents but to prevent their recurrence by dismantling the entire infrastructure of terrorism.

Today, I pay my deepest tribute to the martyred police personnel of Kohat and to all those serving in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police who continue to discharge their responsibilities in the face of extraordinary danger. I also salute the personnel of the Pakistan Armed Forces and other security institutions who have made immense sacrifices for our national security. Their bravery and devotion to Pakistan deserve our highest respect.

However, admiration for their courage must go hand in hand with accountability from those responsible for ensuring their safety. The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have already paid an enormous price. They have every right to ask their government for protection, effective governance and a future free from feear.
How many more mothers must lose their sons? How many more children must grow up without their fathers? How much more blood must be shed before the state delivers the peace its citizens have been promised for so long?*

We are proud of our martyrs, but the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa need more than words of sympathy. They need lasting peace, effective security measures and a government that treats the protection of human life as its foremost responsibility. The sacrifices of these brave men must become a turning point in our national resolve against terrorism, not another tragic headline soon forgotten.

To the martyrs of Kohat, the entire nation bows its head in respect. You gave your lives while fulfilling your duty to protect others. Your courage will remain an enduring part of our national history, and your sacrifices must never be forgotten.

May Almighty Allah grant the departed souls the highest place in Jannah, give their bereaved families the strength to endure this irreparable loss, and grant a speedy recovery to the injured. May Allah protect Pakistan, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, from terrorism and violence and bless this land with lasting peace and security. Ameen.

Dr. Alamdar Hussain Malik
Advisor Academics, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Swat
Former Secretary/Registrar, Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council.