A spokesperson for the district police officer (DPO), Qudratullah Khan, told Dawn News that militants targeted Constable Irfanullah near his residence in the trans-river belt area of Kurrum Par.

The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of Dadiwala police station.

Khan said the constable sustained critical gunshot injuries and died while being transported to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Serai Naurang.

The slain officer was posted in Peshawar and had returned to his native village on leave at the time of the attack.

“Following the incident, a heavy police contingent reached the area and launched a search operation to apprehend the assailants,” Khan added.