Militant attack on Pakistani police station kills at least 7 officers and wounds 13

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — At least seven police officers and six militants were killed after gunmen attacked a police training center in northwestern Pakistan, triggering a fierce firefight that lasted for hours, officials said Saturday.

It’s the latest violence to rock the area, which is the base for several armed groups, and comes as Pakistan struggles with a worsening security situation.

Friday night’s assault targeted a police training facility in Ratta Kulachi, on the outskirts of Dera Ismail Khan city. Police said the attackers used heavy weapons and tried to force their way into the compound after a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden truck at the gate.

“After the initial blast, the attackers managed to storm the facility, where about 200 recruits and their trainers were present,” Dera Ismail Khan police chief Sajjad Ahmad told The Associated Press.

The gun battle between police and militants lasted nearly six hours. Seven police personnel were killed and 13 were injured, Ahmad said.

Assailants launched the coordinated assault using heavy weapons, according to a police statement.

Officers on duty returned fire, thwarting what officials described as an attempt to cause mass casualties. The explosives-packed truck rammed into the training school’s main gate, triggering a blast that collapsed part of a boundary wall, killing a police officer.

Moments later, militants in uniform entered the compound and opened fire with automatic weapons, the statement said.

They hurled grenades and exchanged heavy fire with security forces. Police and paramilitary units later cleared the compound, killing six militants and recovering suicide vests, explosives, weapons, and ammunition, the statement added.

Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the slain officers for their bravery and sacrifice.

The banned group, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, initially claimed responsibility for the assault. It later issued a second statement denying involvement. The group is allied with, but separate from, the Afghan Taliban, which seized power in Kabul in 2021.

On Friday, the Pakistani army’s chief spokesman, Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, said “terrorism had surged since 2021,” particularly in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bordering Afghanistan.

He told reporters at a press conference that Pakistan had carried out thousands of counterterrorism operations in recent years to neutralize the growing militant threat.

This year, until Sept. 15, security forces conducted over 10,000 operations, killing 970 militants, while 311 soldiers and 73 police officers were killed, he said.

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Associated Press writer Sajjad Tarakzai in Islamabad contributed to this report.

Officials and others attend funeral prayers of police officers, who were killed when gunmen attacked a police training center, in Dera Ismail Khan in northwestern Pakistan, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Muhammad Kashif)

Officials and others attend funeral prayers of police officers, who were killed when gunmen attacked a police training center, in Dera Ismail Khan in northwestern Pakistan, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Muhammad Kashif)

CARY, N.C. (AP) — Clayton Kershaw isn't done pitching just yet, agreeing Thursday to join the U.S. team for this year's World Baseball Classic.

The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner wanted to pitch for the Americans in the 2023 tournament but was prevented because of insurance issues. He had a $20 million, one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers at the time.

“I was too broken for the insurance to cover my arm and everything,” Kershaw said on MLB Network, “so now that it doesn't matter I get to go and be a part of this group.”

A left-hander who turns 38 two days after the March 17 championship game, Kershaw announced last September that he was retiring at the end of the season, his 18th in a stellar career for the Dodgers. He won his third World Series title and finished 223-96 with a 2.53 ERA and 3,052 strikeouts.

“I just want to be the insurance policy,” Kershaw said. “If anybody needs a breather or if they need me to pitch back-to-back-to-back or if they don’t need me to pitch at all, I’m just there to be there. I just want to be a part of this group.”

Later Thursday, new Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman announced he will join the U.S. team.

When Kershaw received a call from U.S. manager Mark DeRosa, he thought he was being invited as a coach.

“I didn't have a whole lot of interest in picking up a baseball again," Kershaw said. “I started throwing 10, 12 days ago and it doesn’t feel terrible, so I think I’ll be OK.”

Kershaw joins a U.S. pitching staff that includes right-handers David Bednar, Clay Holmes, Griffin Jax, Nolan McLean, Mason Miller, Joe Ryan, Paul Skenes and Logan Webb along with left-handers Tarik Skubal and Gabe Speier.

The American roster also includes catchers Cal Raleigh and Will Smith; infielders Ernie Clement, Gunnar Henderson, Brice Turang and Bobby Witt Jr.; outfielders Byron Buxton, Corbin Carroll, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Aaron Judge; and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber.

The U.S., which lost the 2023 championship game to Japan, opens March 6 against Brazil at Houston, part of a group that also includes Britain, Italy and Mexico.

Shohei Ohtani struck out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to end Japan's 3-2 win in the 2023 championship. Kershaw doesn't anticipate facing Ohtani, his teammate for the Dodgers' World Series titles in 2024 and 2025.

“I think something will have gone terribly wrong if I have to pitch against team Japan in the finals or something. I think we got plenty of guys to get that guy out and not me,” Kershaw said. “But if that happens, I'll be nervous. I'll be nervous at this point.”

AP baseball: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates the end of the top of the 12th inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 3 of baseball's World Series, Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)