Ankara: At least six police officers and one civilian were killed when Pakistani security forces neutralized five militants in a retaliatory strike after attackers targeted a police training center in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Friday, officials said Saturday. The operation lasted five hours, during which 13 police officers were also injured, according to a statement from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police.

According to Anadolu Agency, ammunition, including suicide jackets, were recovered from the militants. The attack occurred late Friday when militants targeted the police training center in the province's Dera Ismail Khan district. A police official stated that the assault involved the assailants ramming an explosive-laden vehicle into the main entrance, identifying it as a suicide attack.

The recent attack followed a deadly week for Pakistani security forces. On Tuesday, at least 11 Pakistani security personnel, including two officers, were killed during a clash with militants in the Orakzai District. On Wednesday, a Pakistan army major and seven suspected militants were killed during a security operation in the Dera Ismail Khan area of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

In a statement, Pakistan's army reported the militants attempted to breach the perimeter security, but their plans were thwarted by the vigilant and resolute response of security personnel on duty. The attackers also hit a mosque inside a school complex, killing an innocent civilian who was performing duties as an imam.

The military emphasized the determination of Pakistan's security forces and Law Enforcement Agencies to eradicate terrorism, allegedly sponsored by India, from the country. "Such sacrifices of our brave soldiers and innocent civilians further strengthen our unwavering commitment of safeguarding our nation at all cost," the statement added.

New Delhi has yet to respond to the Pakistani military's accusations. Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to face an increase in militant attacks, with Islamabad accusing neighboring Afghanistan of not preventing terrorists from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from launching attacks. Afghanistan denies these charges, affirming its commitment not to allow its territory to be used for attacks on its neighbor.