Four suspected terrorists were killed during a joint intelligence-based operation near the border of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Karak and Kohat districts, police said on Friday. The operation was launched after authorities received credible intelligence about the presence of militants in the Khattak Dam area. Officials said the action reflects ongoing efforts to curb militancy in the province.
According to Karak police, the operation began early Friday morning in coordination with Kohat police. During the raid, the suspects allegedly opened fire on the police party, triggering a gun battle. Police responded with what they described as effective retaliatory fire, leading to the deaths of four suspected militants.
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Police identified the slain militants as members of the Commander Zahid Group, which authorities said had been involved in attacks that killed several police officers and personnel. Following the operation, security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search to recover evidence and verify the identities and criminal records of the deceased suspects.
In a statement, Karak police reaffirmed their commitment to eliminating terrorism and maintaining peace in the region. Officials said intelligence-based operations against militant groups would continue without interruption. The force added that further investigations into the network were underway.
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Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi commended the police for the successful operation. He described the militants as “India-sponsored terrorists” and praised the security forces for their continued efforts against terrorism. Separately, the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) reported that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced a significant rise in violence during 2025, with fatalities increasing compared to the previous year.