Customs officer martyred on Indus Highway near Kohat toll plaza, second official critically hurt

KOHAT – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – The Kohat customs vehicle attack today has left one officer dead and another badly wounded. Gunmen opened fire on a customs vehicle near the toll plaza on Main Indus Highway. Police say the attackers were not known to anyone at the scene. The customs officer martyred Indus Highway incident has shocked local residents and raised fresh safety concerns for government staff working in the area.

The attack happened without warning. Witnesses say the gunmen fired straight at the moving vehicle. Bullets tore through the car from more than one side. The sudden gunfire gave the two officers inside almost no chance to react or seek cover.

One officer, sadly, did not survive the attack. He has been identified as Jawad. The second officer, named Basirullah, was seriously hurt but is alive. He was rushed to the hospital soon after the shooting.

The gunfire was so intense that it caused the vehicle to catch fire. Flames spread quickly across the car. Luckily, rescue teams reached the spot within minutes. Their fast response helped put out the fire before it could cause more damage or block the busy highway for long.

Rescue workers played a key role once they arrived. They helped move both the injured officer and the body of the deceased officer to the nearest hospital. Basirullah was taken to DHQ Hospital for urgent treatment. Doctors are currently monitoring his condition closely.

Police reached the scene shortly after the attack was reported. Officers cordoned off the area to collect evidence. They also spoke to nearby witnesses to understand exactly what took place. So far, no group has come forward to claim responsibility for the shooting.

A senior police official confirmed that the fire on the vehicle was brought under control quickly. He added that the situation is now stable, and traffic on the highway has resumed. Still, many commuters remain worried about safety along this stretch of road.

Officials have also confirmed that a formal investigation is now underway. Police teams are working to trace the gunmen responsible for the attack. Search operations have been launched in the surrounding areas. Officials believe the attackers may still be nearby, and they hope to make an arrest soon.

This is not the first time customs staff have come under attack while on duty in this region. Such incidents have sadly become more common in recent times, putting extra pressure on families of officers who serve on these routes every day.

For now, the community is left mourning the loss of Officer Jawad. Colleagues have expressed deep sadness over his sudden death, calling him a dedicated worker who always carried out his duties with care.

Authorities have assured the public that justice will be served. They say all possible resources are being used to identify and catch those behind this attack. Updates on the investigation are expected in the coming hours as police continue their search.