A coordinated assault on a police post in Upper Swat's scenic Jarogo area was thwarted late Sunday night when officers mounted a fierce counterattack, according to District Police Officer (DPO) Mushtaq Ahmad. More than a dozen militants surrounded the Chatkekal post near the waterfall, unleashing gunfire from multiple directions before being driven off. The exchange marks the latest in a series of attacks targeting security personnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where militant violence has surged sharply in recent weeks. Police say two attackers were wounded in the firefight, and a manhunt is underway. Main Developments According to police, the attackers surrounded the post and opened fire from all sides, but the personnel on duty retaliated with effective gunfire, forcing the militants to retreat and flee. Initial reports indicate two terrorists were injured during the exchange. Read also: Why Balochistan's Rising Toll Demands a Closer Look Security forces have intensified surveillance in the area, with further details still being ascertained. The DPO commended the officers for their prompt response and bravery, stating that Swat police remain at the forefront of the fight against terrorism. "Such cowardly attacks cannot demoralise Swat Police. Our personnel know how to respond effectively to terrorist attacks," he said. The attack came just a week after a suicide bombing near Kabal Police Station in Swat killed 17 people, including seven policemen, during a protest against lawlessness at Kabal Chowk. In a separate incident, a constable was martyred in Bannu when unidentified attackers opened fire near the Hamza Tablighi Markaz along the Bannu-Miranshah Road in the Baka Khel area. Police said Constable Anwarullah Khan, deployed at the Baka Khel police station, died at the scene while the assailants fled. A large contingent of police arrived after receiving information, cordoned off the area, and launched a search. Evidence from the crime scene is being collected, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest those involved. Background Friday saw thousands of people from across Swat district gather at Nishat Chowk in Mingora to condemn the suicide bombing and reaffirm their commitment to peace in the valley. The attacks come amid a broader surge in militant violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), security personnel deaths in KP, excluding merged districts, rose from 12 in June to 38 in July—an increase of over 200 percent. Terrorist deaths also climbed from 37 to 108, reflecting a 192 percent rise, while civilian deaths fell from 26 to seven, a 73 percent decline. Bannu district has been a hotspot, with repeated security incidents targeting civilians and forces. Last month, security forces killed 24 terrorists in Bannu and adjoining areas, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), with the toll later rising to 48 as operations continued. Why It Matters The foiled attack underscores the persistent threat to police and security personnel in the region, who remain prime targets for militants seeking to destabilize the area. The recent surge in attacks on law enforcement, including the deadly Kabal suicide bombing, highlights the challenges facing security forces in maintaining order. For local communities, the violence disrupts daily life and undermines peace efforts, as seen in the mass protests in Mingora. The rise in terrorist activity, coupled with a decline in civilian casualties, suggests militants are increasingly focusing on security forces, requiring a robust and sustained counterterrorism response. What's Next Police have intensified surveillance in Upper Swat and are ascertaining further details about the attackers. In Bannu, a joint intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Miryan area, conducted under the supervision of Bannu DPO Capt (retd) Mohammad Furqan Bilal, resulted in the killing of one terrorist and the detention of several suspects. The Counter-Terrorism Department recovered a Kalashnikov, three magazines, and a bandolier from the slain militant. The DPO said IBOs would be intensified to make Bannu a peaceful place, urging residents to cooperate with law-enforcement agencies and report any suspicious activity immediately.