Gunmen opened fire on an investigation police vehicle on GT Road near Pirpai, Nowshera, as officers were escorting a notorious kidnapping suspect to Peshawar for evidence recovery. The suspect, identified as Ajmal Shah alias Ajmaliya, was killed in the attack, while two police officers were injured.

According to police, Ajmal Shah had been arrested a day earlier in connection with the kidnapping-for-ransom case of trader Zahid Ali. The suspect was being taken to Qazi Kalay, Peshawar, to identify the location of the victim's grave when the police vehicle was ambushed.

Between three to five masked and armed assailants opened fire on the police mobile. During the exchange of fire, Ajmal Shah was fatally shot inside the police van. The attackers managed to flee the scene.

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Two investigation officers, IO Asghar Khattak and AIO Ijaz Khan, sustained injuries but survived due to wearing bulletproof jackets. They were promptly shifted to District Headquarters Hospital, Nowshera.

DSP Nowshera Cantt Muqaddam Khan confirmed that police had obtained a two-day physical remand for Ajmal Shah from the court prior to the incident. A search operation is underway to track down the assailants.