Two police officials were martyred when a police patrol came under a deadly attack by armed militants in the Machni area of Mohmand district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, late Thursday night.

According to police officials, the incident occurred near the Warsak Lift Canal within the jurisdiction of Ekkaghund police station when a routine police mobile patrol was ambushed with heavy gunfire.

The attack resulted in the martyrdom of Additional Station House Officer Zaitullah and Elite Force constable Noor Zeb, who reportedly responded bravely to the assault.

The driver of the police vehicle, identified as Zahir, sustained serious injuries and was shifted to Peshawar for advanced medical treatment after initial care.Officials stated that the police personnel returned fire effectively, forcing the attackers to retreat from the scene.

Reports from verified sources also suggested that several militants may have been killed during the exchange of fire, although they managed to escape.The attackers allegedly left behind weapons at the site, including one M4 rifle, a Kalashnikov assault rifle, and three loaded magazines.

Following the incident, senior police officers including the DSP of Ekkaghund Circle and SHO reached the location, cordoned off the area, and launched a search and clearance operation.A manhunt is ongoing to trace and arrest the fleeing militants.

The police reiterated their commitment to continue operations against militancy in the region, stating that the sacrifices of the martyred officers would not go in vain.

The slain personnel were later laid to rest with full state honours at Police Lines Ghalanai, with senior civil and military officials attending the funeral prayers.