Pakistan, Feb. 12 -- A sudden ambush in Dera Ismail Khan has once again draped Pakistan's flag in mourning. Four police officers were slain on Wednesday when militants opened fire on their convoy.

These deaths belong in the ledger of sacrifice that the defence minister recently reminded Parliament of: more than 3,000 martyrs from the armed forces' ranks over the past five years alone have perished defending the homeland's unity and peace.

Pakistan witnessed a sharp surge in militant violence in 2025, with attacks rising by roughly 34%, resulting in nearly 700 recorded terrorist incidents and over 1,000 deaths. Security forces have been targeted repeatedly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where militants continue to strike police checkposts, patro...