The assault came in Darbaan Kalan, 30 kilometres (20 miles) west of Dera Ismail Khan, a flashpoint for sectarian violence in the northwest as Taliban commanders claim to have begun initial peace talks with Pakistani authorities.

“They killed two policemen and injured seven others,” district police officer Sohail Khaliq told AFP.

“There were around 10-12 militants, who came in vehicles and used grenades, rockets and firing during the attack. They fled in the same vehicles when police resisted,” Khaliq added.

Niaz Ahmed, duty officer at the targeted station, confirmed the attack. There was no immediate claim of responsibility and no militants were killed.